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Cleo Laras Obituary
Family-Placed Obituary
LARAS, Cleo Jelson Passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, February 4, 2007 at the age of 84 in Houston, Texas. She was born in Houston and upon her marriage in 1942, moved to Middletown, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Peter Laras, parents Demetra and Athanasios Jelson and brothers George, Angelo and John Jelson. She is survived by her three daughters Zoetsa Dale and husband John, Tula Laras of Houston,Texas, Eleni Zaferes and husband Tom of Cincinnati Ohio, four grandchildren, Katina Mathews and husband Vasili, Demetri Dale and wife Elise of Houston, Texas, Tricia Fielden and husband Brad and Peter Zaferes of Cincinnati Ohio, and four great-grandchildren Anna and Constantine Mathews of Houston, Texas and Andrew and Matthew Fielden of Cincinnati, Ohio, brother Alex Jelson and numerous nieces and nephews. Her life was devoted in joyful and tireless service to her church, various civic organizations, her family and treasured friends. In 1953, Cleo and her husband Peter, along with business partner, Paul Mathews, donated the land for Sts. Constantine and Helen Church on Grand Avenue. She held numerous local and national offices in the following organizations: Past President of Middletown Philoptochos Society; the Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos Board; Past President of Chryssa Chapter Middletown, Past District Governor District 11, Past National Grand Governor of the Daughters of Penelope; Past Matron of Prosser Chapter, Past Grand Representative of Minnesota of the Order of the Eastern Star and Past Worthy High Priestess of the Order of the White Shrine. Cleo also served on the board of the Salvation Army, the board of the Women's Center, was a member of ABWA and a charter member of Accents. For many years she worked along side her husband, Peter, at the family business, Mathews Dry Cleaners. Following the close of Mathews Cleaners in 1973, Cleo was a librarian with the Middletown Schools. In 2004 she moved back to Houston. Funeral services were held in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, February 7, 2007. A memorial service in Middletown will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 1:00pm at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2500 Grand Avenue. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen Church. Cleo's legacy is the admiration and undying love of all her family, and the respect and affection of her many, many friends.
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Memories and Condolences
for Cleo Laras
6 Entries
Wilma (Peck) Cornella
February 23, 2007
To the Laras family: My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Laras' family. She was a special lady. About 50 years ago, I was a young girl who belonged to a Girl Scout troop of which Mrs. Laras was the leader. I have some very fond memories of troop meetings at her home, trips to Middletown Hospital to sing Christmas carols & those special times at Girl Scout camp. She was always so nice to all of us. I admired her very much. After so many years, it is a special tribute to her that these things are still so vivid in my mind.
Natalie Barker (Tipell)
February 21, 2007
Cleo was a special part of our family, she was always such a kindhearted person and was always willing to go out of her way for everyone, she was also a close friend to my grandma (Margaret Day), it seems wherever my grandma was Cleo was there. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, may god be with you all.
February 20, 2007
To the Laras Family: Like many Middletonians I knew Cleo and her husband Pete when they operated the Matthews Cleaners on Central Avenue. Later we became close friends through our OES years and shared many happy memories of traveling throughout Ohio in 1981. Cleo opened her home to her OES friends for meetings in addition to fun time get togethers. She was very active with the Grand Representatives and often entertained this group in her home for the group's work projects. Everyone always had a good time in her home and she was a great hostess. Cleo was a good friend to all of us. Cary and I will miss Cleo but have pictures to recall many of the happy memories we shared with our good friend. Our condolences to the family on the death of Cleo. Cary and Nancy Fenton
John Petrocy
February 19, 2007
My most heartfelt condolences to Cleo's loving family on her passing. I remember working at Mathew's during my teen years as a delivery boy. Pete & Paul were the machine but Cleo was the heart & soul of the business. A more sweet and lovely lady one would be hard pressed to find.
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kiki fuller
February 18, 2007
To the Laras family...I knew Mrs. Laras from when I was in High School at Monroe High in Ohio. She was the school Librarian...She was such a joy to be around. She was the one bright spot in my day!!! I will always remember her. She kept me on my toes!! I will keep your family in my prayers.
Edith Kohler
February 18, 2007
Dear Family of Cleo, I want to tell you how sorry I am to hear of Cleo's passing. She was a wonderful friend to many of us in Middletown. I knew her through the Middletown Senior Center and the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary. She was a dedicated and accomplished volunteer in whatever was needed. We miss her here and share in your loss.
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