Obituary of Cleo Gregoras

Cleo Gregoras, of Carmel, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 18, 2025, surrounded by her beloved children, grandchildren and  aides who cared for her day and night.  She had just celebrated her 95th birthday.

Cleo was born on January 11, 1930 in Valdosta, Georgia to her loving parents, the late George and Irene Siriotis.  One of four children, Cleo and her family moved from Georgia to New York when she was seven years old.  Over the years she moved in New York between the Bronx and Queens, and finally to Carmel, in Putnam County, New York, where she lived with her son, John, until she passed.  

Born of immigrant parents from Kalymnos, Greece, the Greek culture and Orthodox faith were a large part of her life.  She attended a Greek American parochial elementary school, Greek American Institute in the Bronx, New York, where she studied the language and culture she was born into and also became a member of the choir and youth group at the church, Zoodoxos Peghe.   She continued as a member of the church choir all through her high school years, at Washington Irving, in Washington Heights, NY.  Cleo continued her education attending The Wood School in New York City, where she completed an Administrative Secretarial program that led her to a career in Administrative work in various industries and to eventually becoming an integral part of the Credit Department, working for a Vice President at Johns Manville Corp. where she spent over 20 + years as a dedicated, hardworking employee, before finally retiring in 1992.

Cleo was a devoted partner and wife but also a loving mother to her two children, who she adored with every breadth of her being.  She never missed an opportunity to make them happy or to show her affection for them.  Her pleasant, compassionate demeanor and warm disposition was always present with her family and friends, making her someone people gravitated to.  She always had a smile on her face and a kind word to say, never complaining, regardless of any difficulties she faced.

Cleo loved dressing well and taking care of herself.  She never missed a week of appointments with her hairdresser and nail salon or the opportunity to go shopping at one of many stores for her clothes. She always looked great and was the consummate homemaker, decorating her home to suit the season, cooking delicious meals and keeping a beautiful home for her family everyday.   In addition, she loved working with her hands knitting, crocheting and embroidering beautifully.   

One of Cleo's favorite things was dancing, especially in the earlier years of her life.  She was happiest when she was celebrating with friends at a party, enjoying a martini and dancing.  In her late teens and early 20's, she spent many Saturday nights dancing at the one of the well-known dance halls in NYC, Roseland, where she would often meet up with friends who shared the same passion, a passion that stayed with her all her life. 

Cleo had many good friends in her life who she shared common interests with.  And, it was the simple things that made her happy like spending time with her friends and neighbors often.  Whether it was to gather on the front stoop of the building on a summer evening, to review the events of the day, or to get together to watch a favorite T.V. show, play cards or just to chat over a morning cup of coffee, which she always looked forward to.   But she mostly enjoyed spending time with her beloved sister and best friend, Mary.  Some of the happiest times in her life were spent with Mary in the summer house on Long Island, where she and Mary would love hosting a multitude of family members and friends all summer long with all their children for weeks at a time, sometimes.  The door was always open. Being at the beach, hosting the bbqs, crabbing, fishing, cooking lobster and crab dinners and working on the many projects together at the small summer house that was shared with all family and friends, was undoubtedly some of the happiest times they shared with all.  

Cleo is predeceased by her husband Nicholas Gregoras; sister, Mary Scotti and brother-in-law, Anthony; brother Nick Siriotis and sister-in-law, Thelma; brother Teddy Siriotis; mother-in-law, Francis; brother-in-law and sister-in- law, Danny and Andriana Gregoras, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Louis and Emy Gregoras; sister-in-law, Mary Gregoras; niece, Francis Gregoras; and nephew, Anthony Scotti Jr.

Cleo is survived by her children,  Laura Villani Kalogiannis of Chester, NY,  and son, John Gregoras of Carmel, NY and son-in-law, John Kalogiannis, of Chester, NY;  and her loving grandchildren, Evan Kalogiannis, his wife Maria, and brother Dane Kalogiannis, of Chester, NY, ; Andrew Gregoras and sister, Leanne Gregoras, of Stamford, CT; and sister-in-law, Catherine Siriotis of Jericho, NY.  Also included among her loved ones are her many beloved nieces and nephew.

The Memorial Service for the Orthodox Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 23rd at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804.  Those who wish to pay final respects beforehand may come to the church at 10:00 am.  Interment will follow at Ferncliff Cemetery, 280 Secor Rd, Hartsdale, NY 10530.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cleo Gregoras's name to:   Holy Trinity Church, 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY  10804.