ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Joyce Page of Lynn is retiring from the Capitol Diner after more than 32 years of service.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — Joyce Page is about to serve her last plate of scrambled eggs and ham.
After nearly 33 years, the popular waitress is retiring from the Capitol Diner and plans to spend more time with her family.
The best part of the job? Hanging out with her favorite customers.
“I like the social hour that I get to have all day,” said Page. “I get to know my customers on a personal level and they get to know me on a personal level.”
Page described herself as someone who can’t sit still and the job at the diner has as the best place kept her busy.
She has worked at the diner since 1983. Page’s father helped get her first waitressing job at the Osmond Coffee Shop, where she worked for 18 years.
After leaving the shop, she found part-time work at the Capitol Diner.
“I started off only a couple hours, a couple days each week,” she said. “Eventually I went full-time and the rest is history. I’ve been here for 32-and-a-half years.”
Jim Murray has been a customer since his mom began bringing him there as a baby.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid. I used to spin around on the barstools and run up and down the (aisle),” he said. “Joyce is amazing. She’s very sweet. It’s like a family environment (there).”
Other customers pointed to pictures and other memorabilia hanging on the wall and explained that each item represents a memory, many with Page.
Once retired, the 70-year-old plans to spend time with her husband, Bobby Page; son, Corey Page; daughter-in-law Kristin Page; and two granddaughters Briana and Hailey Page.
“I’m going to spend a lot more time with my oldest granddaughter,” she said. “She’s going through some things. Grammy is going to be there for her.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at bturcotte@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.