Cleo Maletis

Background

Maletis was born to Greek immigrant parents Thomas and Pagoula "Peggy" Michas and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Career

She was crowned the 19th Mistress America in the Mistress America Pageant of 1957. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington in home economics, graduating in 1946.

One year later on June 28, 1947 Cleo was married to Chris C. Maletis, Junior. in Vancouver.

She became the mother of four boys: Chris Maletis, III (born 1948), Tom Maletis (born 1951), Editor Maletis (born 1954), and Rob Maletis (born 1957). During this time, Maletis became interested in the growing trend of working mothers in Denmark, praising the Danish nurseries that allowed for both parents to work.

A trend not yet realized for 1957 suburban Portland. After retiring her crown to Linwood Findley, Maletis went to work for her husband"s family beverage distributing business, Maletis, Incorporated., which in 1993 became Maletis Beverage and Columbia Distributing, the former now run by son Rob Maletis and latter by son Editor Maletis.

Maletis suffered from Alzheimer"s disease since 2002 and died on November 9, 2009 in Portland, Oregon surrounded by her family.

She was 84.

Achievements

• She stated that her proudest achievement in life was in raising four sons and 10 grandchildren all within the same city.