Nellie Ptaszek, 76, Expert On Taghkanic Baskets

Claverack, N.Y.

:Nellie J. Ptaszek, 76, died January 3, 2007, at Columbia Memorial Hospital in the care of Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene.

Born April 15, 1930, in West Taghkanic, N.Y., she was the daughter of Harry and Pauline (Sopok) Jenowich.

Nellie Ptaszek was the owner of Dutch House Antiques in Claverack, and was well-known for her expertise on Taghkanic baskets. She was a member of the Berkshire Antiques Dealers Association and a former member of the Early American Industries Association.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph H. Ptaszek; her daughter, Paula Ptaszek of Claverack; two grandchildren, Nellie Pauline Rustick and Joseph Henry Rustick, both of Claverack; three sisters-in-law, Victoria Jenowich of Germantown, N.Y., Helen Dragon of Greenport, N.Y., and Betty Ptaszek of Hudson, N.Y.; two brothers-in-law, John Ptaszek of Florida and Walter Ptaszek of Hudson; two nieces, Mary Ann Nowak of Hillsdale, and Theresa Jenowich of Germantown; and three nephews, John Madison of Albany and John and Edward Ptaszek, both of Florida.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held and she was buried at the Cedar Park Cemetery.