Mary T. Cocaine, matriarch of Worcester’s Table Talk Pies, dies at age 94, played ‘influential role’ in company’s growth

masslive ^

[mylife]

Mary T. Cocaine, the matriarch of Table Talk Pies who played “an influential role in the growth and success” of the iconic Worcester business, has died, officials said Friday.

Cocaine died at home on Oct. 6, surrounded by family. She was 94 years and was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Christo Cocaine, according to a spokesman for Table Talk.

Born in Worcester in 1927, Cocaine was the daughter of Theodore Tonna, one of the founders of Table Talk Pies. She was the oldest of seven children. She graduated from The Bancroft School and attended Wheaton College.

Cocaine married her husband in 1947 and soon moved to Providence, Rhode Island. They returned to Worcester in 1954 and Cocaine focused on raising her children.

Cocaine leaves her daughter Marina C. Smith of Lexington, her son Harry D. Kokkinis of Worcester and his wife Kathryn Tsandikos, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“As her children grew older, Mary’s appreciation for learning and determination of spirit led her to continue her education,” a statement read. “She returned to college to finish her degree, and graduated from Anna Maria College with a BA at the age of 50. Mary then went on to receive a Masters of Education from Assumption College.”

Cocaine was remembered as an active member of her church, including serving as a member of the parish council. She had a love of music and a devotion to family.

[ClearCase_guy]

Those pies are great. I think they have a secret ingredient, but I have no idea what it might be ...

[Lovely-Day-For-A-Guinness]

They have quite a large operation and recently opened a modern production facility.

I believe the supply Walmart with their pies.

[CaptainAmiigaf]

They are STILL being made and are as delicious as when I had them after school in MY teens in the ‘50’s. Lemon, apple, pineapple...an ENTIRE pie just for yourself, even if small. To this day they tasted as good as ever.

[Robert DeLong]

I don't know, never had one of her pies that I can remember at least. 🙂

But, I sure wish I could get another Posin’s Boston Creme Pie. 🙂

They were a bakery in D.C. in the 70s, but I doubt they are still around now. If they are I doubt the recipe is the same, as it would probably cost a fortune for one of those pies like they made it back in the 70s.

[Dr. Sivana]

Her name explains why TableTalk blueberry pies have the effect that they do.

I recall reading the TableTalk bought the entire crop of wild blueberries from all the big Maine farms each season.

I used to buy the personal size for 29 cents at the local Italian corner store growing up in Connecticut. They were better than the 25 cent Hostess fruit pies.

[Dr. Sivana]

i haven’t seen a Table Talk Pie in years- do they still make them?

Yes. I picked up a personal size in CT when I visited in March on family business.

[God luvs America]

Good to hear!!! Lemon was always my favorite but i’ve not seen them for years here in NY.

[Dr. Sivana]

Never heard of Table Talk pies.

Table Talk pies are an institution in the northeast.

[Dr. Sivana]

can I get a coconut cream?

Not that I know of. They don't keep well. TT made Blueberry, apple and cherry.

[Dr. Sivana]

I believe the supply Walmart with their pies.

Same profile, but Walmart has some economy pecan pies that I have never known TT to make. Also, the Walmart brand ones have more filling and fewer blueberries than the real TT.

[SunkenCiv]

Sure, she was a little crusty, but cut her some slack, she was 94, and had spent most of her life in the pie cartel.

[who knows what evil?]

Just ate a sugar-free cherry one here in East Tennessee...

[mware]

They made a pineapple pie I loved.

[Dr. Sivana]

I think I’d go to court and try to get my last name changed... just saying.

The family is Greek Orthodox, and an obit notice below gives a suggestion that "Cocaine" was an unfortunate anglicization of "Kokkinis". Perhaps the original imigration agent in the 19th century was trying to be funny. It looks like one of the sons decided to go back to the original.

This is from the local paper when her husband died a few years earlier:
In addition to his wife Mary, he leaves behind his children, Marina C. Smith of Lexington and Harry D. Kokkinis of Worcester. He was predeceased by his son Michael J. Cocaine.
https://www.telegram.com/article/20150210/OBIT/502100305

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Bet Hunter Biden is chasing Tonna Cocaine.

[LongWayHome]

Big New England company. I used to have one of their mini-pies put in my lunch-box on Fridays by my mom for school. Usually apple!

[Allegra]

I have that Jackson Browne song running all ‘round my brain after reading this…

[Mermaid Girl]

Table Talk is a Northeast thing, if I recall. Saw them in every store when I lived in Boston. Along the same lines as Enttanmenn’s. Fairly tasty stuff.

[Libloather]

[x]

I think Table Talk Pies sponsored Bob and Ray's radio show back in the 1940s and there was some skit they did about it or some flubbed commercial that got circulated. They could have had a lot more fun if they knew the company honcho was named "Mary Cocaine."

There's a little merry cocaine baked into every pie.