The P.A. Club was packed with old friends and even a few old political foes on Friday night. Tricia Bergeron was there. So was Patricia A. Costa, who was Oak Bluffs town treasurer for 22 years, and Florence Ben David, who worked in the assessors’ office for the same number of years. Town counsel and native son Ron Rappaport showed up too, shaking hands and sharing smiles and never loosening his tie. Alan Schweikert, Priscilla Sylvia, Judy Williamson . . . the list went on.

It was no ordinary gathering for a decidedly un-ordinary person: Linda Marinelli, former longtime selectman, town farmer and scalloper and staunch advocate for the public right to know, was the guest of honor at the potluck dinner.

Mrs. Marinelli, whose husband died a few years ago, has sold her house and is moving to Cape Cod to live near one of her daughters.

“The Vineyard is too expensive,” she said, but all the same there was a tear in her eye as she sat surrounded by well-wishers. “I am going to keep coming to the Vineyard, to get my hair done,” she added.

There were no speeches, just plenty of reminiscences and personal greetings with the lady who used to have the handle Troublemaker on the CB radio.

Selectman Kerry Scott shared a few stories, along with Ethel Marsh, 88, a longtime friend and political supporter.

Retired fire chief Dennis Alley and his wife Megan sat and enjoyed the meal.

“I always liked Linda. She always looked out for the welfare of the town. One thing for sure, she always did her homework and that benefitted the town,” said Francis Bernard.

Mrs. Marinelli, 78, was an Oak Bluffs selectman from 1986 to 1999. Her service on other town boards could fill a page. She was an emergency medical technician. And with the help of a writer friend, Cynthia Riggs of West Tisbury, Mrs. Marinelli wrote a 256-page autobiography titled Never Say Die seven years ago.

Mrs. Marinelli’s daughter Charlene Maciel and her husband Tim were there with their two sons, Timothy 12, and Tyler 8.

Mrs. Maciel said the family plan is to move to a new home in Mashpee. Mr. Maciel plans to become a commuter and continue his job at John Keene Excavation.

On Monday afternoon Mrs. Marinelli was honored all over again at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging. There was a luncheon with clam chowder and rolls. Before an audience of some 35 friends, Mrs. Marinelli was given a formal town thank you. She has already earned the senior citzen of the year award from Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands in 1999.

She said she already has a job in Falmouth which will give her a chance to stay in close touch with Island friends.

“I am a greeter at Wal-Mart,” she said.