Cleo, as her friends called her, was born in the small village of Eptahori, Greece. After the death of her mother, 22 months after Cleo’s birth, she was raised by her maternal grandparents. After their passing she was in the care of her uncle in Thessaloniki, Greece until she was old enough to come to America. Cleo entered the United States in February of 1947. She was adopted by her mother’s brother Theodore Spanos and his wife Martha and lived in Arlington, Virginia.
Cleo went to a private school in Washington, D.C. called The Maret School. Not speaking English at first she began to excel in academics but also in sports. She was so good she was offered a full sports scholarship to The College of William and Mary. But college was not in the cards for Cleo. She did however become a cosmetologist and brought her beauty to others.
During a summer reunion picnic of Cleo’s Greek village that was held in Manchester, New Hampshire she was reunited with many childhood friends. But one, whom she hadn’t seen since she was 10, asked around to see who this gorgeous young lady was in the black and white checked dress. This young man fell in love instantly and began to pursue her. His name was Thomas John Galanos. Tommy and Cleo began to write letters back and forth and fell in love.
Tommy and Cleo began their journey together on September 5, 1954. Tommy always loved that he married the girl next door thousands of miles away. Being born in the same village and experiencing their own childhood hardships they promised they would raise their children to not want for the things they didn’t have. They worked hard to provide for their family. They also believed in helping others. They had a beautiful marriage that lasted 65 years until the death of her beloved husband in 2019.
Cleo once told me the meaning of Eptahori which means seven villages. Seven villages came together to form one village. That’s who Cleo was. She brought so many people together through her love for her family, friends that became family, and strangers who became friends. Cleo was famous for bringing two sets of customers together to share a table and so often became friends themselves. She was dedicated to the churches she belonged to, even growing two from the beginning through her hard work and devotion. Cleo always included the many friends she made along the way to their family gatherings and holidays. Feeding them with the amazing dishes Tommy made famous, but never divulging those recipes were hers. She was the ultimate hostess.
Her family meant the world to her. She gave them her all. She was proud of their accomplishments and stood by them when their dreams fell short. Cleo sacrificed so much for her loved ones so they wouldn’t go without like she did in her childhood. Her legacy was her love and devotion for her family, her faith in others, and her love of friendship.
She is survived by her beloved first born son Ted and his wife Barbara and her loving baby girl Joanna. She was especially proud of all her amazing grandchildren who she prayed for their continued success in life and love, Zach and his wife Jill, Evan, Alyssa and her husband Taylor, Jeremy, Thomas, Matthew, and Kara.
She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, her beautiful daughters Martha and Susan, her mother, her maternal grandparents, her uncle, and her adoptive parents.
A gathering of remembrance will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 between the hours of 1:00pm and 5:00pm at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home Wiegand Chapel, 7454 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34231.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Cleo’s favorite charities in her honor: St Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Tidewell Hospice of Venice.
Condolences may be shared at www.rtsfunerals.com
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