Demetra Doris Kleissas

Demetra Doris Kleissas passed away on Thursday October 16, 2025 in Northridge, California at the age of 101, just shy of her 102nd birthday. She was born on November 8, 1923, in Los Angeles to Stavroula and Constantinos Doris. As a child of the Great Depression, she often spoke of the hardships her family endured but truly believed they were the foundation for living these amazing years with fortitude and fun. Demetra attended L.A. High School during the years when Hollywood was also in its youthful prime. In 1939 she stood in line at the Carthay Circle Theatre with her friends to see Gone With the Wind and was as fashionable as any of the most elite movie stars thanks to her Nouna, who was a gifted seamstress and created the same spectacular outfits to compliment Demetra’s picturesque natural beauty and exceptional style.

Another outfit she so badly wanted to sport was that of being a “WASP” (Women Airforce Service Pilot) for the Army Air Corp. She was fascinated by the idea of flying planes to Hawaii to do her part in the war effort but alas her mother talked her out of it being that she was their only child. Perhaps this is where her passion and support for her future husband and son would take on a whole new level of adventure.

She graduated from Los Angeles City College in 1943 as a legal secretary. From 1943 to 1945 she worked for the War Council in the Los Angeles Mayor’s office. As a first generation American of Greek descent and the daughter of a WWI American Army soldier, Demetra was very proud of her contribution to the war effort. She went on to work for the Los Angeles City Bureau of Engineering for the next decade. She became the right hand to Merrill Butler, chief city engineer who supervised the “City Beautiful” movement creating L.A.’s unique visual style.

In 1949 Demetra married John Kleissas at the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Church, which was the very first Greek Orthodox Church established in Los Angeles, fondly known to its members as “San Julian” because of the street it adorned. They drove (L.A. style) to their reception in a beautiful convertible to where else but the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The spectacular reception was a success even without her father’s touted homemade wine which was not allowed because the Matre’d said the staff would abscond with it. Their wedding guests were like fans waiting along the red carpet of Grauman’s Chinese Theater which conveniently was right across the street.

In 1955 they made the San Fernando Valley their home. They raised their sons Constantine and Nicholas in their distinct Northridge home where a decade later the striking dome of our beloved Saint Nicholas Church shone across the valley and could always be seen from their yard. Demetra and John were founding members and active parishioners. She was an integral member of the Ladies Guild (later to be known as the Philoptochos). John took the role as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 888 which was chartered by the Saint Nicholas Parish. The pinnacle of their scouting experience was a memorable seven week European tour with all those boys and their colorful antics. She would return to Greece at the age of 98, with only her cane to support her, and walked all over the hills of her ancestry to create her own colorful capers.

Being a traditional housewife was fulfilling but when the kids went to school, she wanted to return to public service. Ultimately she continued her career with the Department of Water and Power, where she worked for twenty-eight more years. Retirement was short-lived because you couldn’t stop this woman from wanting to do more, and at the age of 84, Demetra was hired by the U.S. Census Bureau. Eventually she did “retire,” but remained active.

This woman epitomized the enthusiasm and vigor for life. She learned to master her iPhone and was on top of the latest technology. She Facetimed her goddaughter and great goddaughter every morning in her last months and to her last day. She texted and sent photos and fun emojis to family and friends (sometimes of her thumb or feet) but that never stopped her. Her ability to laugh at herself was loveable, but her gift of the gab was most admirable. In her 90s she walked a half mile daily around her neighborhood and motivated everyone around her, shaming others younger than her, saying if she can do it, so could they. She often strolled on the Oxnard Veterans Beach path, took Road-trips to Big Bear, Pismo Beach, S.S. Midway in San Diego, multiple baseball and Kings hockey games.

She flew with her son in his Cessna over the Chesapeake Bay and went sailing in the Pacific on a charter to the Channel Islands telling her friend the Captain to go further out to sea because she could stand for some “more excitement.”

She was blessed with dedicated, wonderful caregivers and dear friends who encouraged her to be her “young” self. She celebrated her 100th birthday in Las Vegas where she inspired and led a parade of applauding people to dance “hasapiko” through the casino in a celebration of life.

Her courageous character was delightful and she had a bit of a wild side of independence that she offered as her secret of a life well-lived.

Demetra is survived by her sons Constantine Kleissas (Wye Mills, Maryland) and Nicholas Kleissas (Burbank, California) and her grandchildren, John William, Evangelia and John Matthew and by her daughters-in-law, Polly and Athena; and niece Tonifaye Palomares Chassman.

The Trisagion service will be held on Monday October 27, 2025, at 6:30pm at Bastian & Perrott, Oswald Mortuary in Northridge. The funeral service will be on Tuesday October 28, 2025, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Northridge.

Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery and Makaria will be hosted at the Kleissas residence at 16949 Calahan Street, Northridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Demetra’s honor to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Northridge.