CANTON, Ohio — Athens Restaurant, a popular mom-and-pop Greek diner in Canton, is closing after 50 years in business.

Behind all the sizzle, savory food—including stuffed peppers, Greek lasagna and many desserts— there is a stirring senior citizen cook who gets the day going at Athens.

"I cook every single day," said 87-year-old Maria Kararsarides, who prefers to go by Yaya, "Every single day."

Bob Jones | News 5 Cleveland

Yaya goes to work every day the restaurant is open and starts cooking. She said she has never missed a day of work in nearly 50 years.

She moved to Canton from Greece with her husband Ted Kararsarides in the 1960's. Together, they opened Athens in the 1970's. Ted passed away in 1998, and the Greek restaurant has stood the test of time.

Yaya and Ted's daughter, Dee

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