Paraskere Mary Marathas Giosmas died on Sunday, July 11, at the age of 86 years. She was born on Oct. 28, 1917, in Lowell, the daughter of Vasilios and Eleni Gerakon Marathas. On Jan. 22, 1939, she married William Giosmas and moved to Cambridge, where she worked at Schraeff Candy Company and Bill was a chef at Harvard University. They became the proud parents of two sons, Jimmy and George.

In 1951 Bill took a summer position as chef for the Harborside Inn in Edgartown, where they were provided with housing for two summers. Bill and Mary began their summer residency in Oak Bluffs in 1953 when they purchased the Captain's Table Diner with Mary's brothers, Steve and Nick Marathas.

When Bill and Mary took full possession of the diner a few years later, Nick opened Nick's Lighthouse at its first location on Oak Bluffs harbor.

Mary was known for her wonderful home-style cooking. Her meatloaf and homemade puddings were favorites of the many who became regulars. Her menu sometimes also included Greek lamb and mousaka.

Although Mary ran a tight ship, the hearty food and playful atmosphere created by Bill and Mary and their sons made the Captain's Table Diner an Oak Bluffs landmark. Residents and visitors flocked to the diner for early morning sausages and eggs and their famous late-night burgers when the diner stayed open until 2 a.m.

Mary traveled to Europe and enjoyed her time on cruise ships, especially the QE2. A lover of handwork, she crocheted afghans, baby sets and lace tablecloths for friends and family, and she greatly enjoyed her weekly bingo games.

Mary continued to summer at her home in Oak Bluffs until her death on Sunday. She is survived by her son, James, and his wife, Victoria, and their daughters, Gianna and Kristen; her son, George, and his wife, Carol; her sisters, Katherine Zagalakas, Alexandra Mastrangelo and Georgia Cosmopolous, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill, and her brothers, Nick and Arthur. Her brother, Stephen, died on the same day as Mary.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 15, at St. Constantine and Helena, Magazine street, Cambridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.