Mary Athina (Ktona) Kosta

MARY ATHINA (KTONA) KOSTA,

Of Winchester, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 3rd 2024, at the age of 90 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Dardhe, Albania, she was the daughter of the late John P. and Elizabeth (Stefani) Ktona.

Mary’s family emigrated from Albania in 1936 when Mary was just three years old. After moving seven times during her early childhood, to follow her father’s path in the restaurant business, her family settled in Somerville where she graduated from Somerville High School. She then went on to graduate from secretarial school in Boston. Once married, Mary and Van resided in South Boston for 16 years before moving to Winchester. Mary worked as a legal secretary for the Boston law firm formerly known as Cohen, Bernkopf, Grauman & Goodman. After a pause from the workforce to raise her family, Mary then worked at the Boston Athenaeum, one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States, where she retired from as assistant comptroller.

Mary had a deep pride in her Albanian heritage and felt fortunate to be among one of the first tour groups to visit Albania. Returning to her birthplace in 1981, she experienced an emotional reunion with family members she had never met, but about whom she had heard so much. She traveled throughout the entire country and visited the house in Dardhe where she was born. Visiting her homeland was a lifelong desire and fulfilling experience.

Mary was a dedicated member of St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral where she was very active in the Ladies Guild, the Daughters of St. George and the Cathedral Choir. She was a skilled and competitive bowler in the Tri-Church League and sang in the Albanian Choral Society. She loved to keep Albanian traditions alive through her cooking and baking. She was known for her Albanian cookies which were always the first to sell out at the church bazaars and often times before the doors opened to the public. Welcoming family and friends to her home, where there was always an extra seat at the table, was one of her greatest joys. Mary loved to travel with her husband, often taking trips with their good friends. In her later years, she enjoyed traveling to Florida and spending time at her home on Cape Cod. She also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino and she was an avid jigsaw puzzler.

Mary was a loyal friend, a good listener, and the ultimate caregiver. She was deserving of accolades for her selflessness, but would never acknowledge herself as such. She quietly and humbly gifted her love and devotion.

Mary was predeceased by her loving husband of 58 years, Van T. Kosta, and her dear siblings, George Ktona and Katherine Boebel. She was the devoted mother of David Kosta and his husband Dwight Dunning of Wakefield and Sandra Kosta and her partner Ayn Cavicchi of Reading. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Pauline Ktona, her brother-in-law, Richard Kosta, and many nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and extended family. Her presence will be dearly and deeply missed by her family and wide circle of friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visiting hours on Tuesday, July 9, from 4-8PM at the St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral, 523 East Broadway, South Boston and again on Wednesday morning at 10AM prior to the Funeral Service which will begin at 11AM. Interment will follow at the Wildwood Cemetery in Winchester.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Mary’s memory to St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral, 523 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127.

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