Olivia G Malekos

Olivia G. Malekos

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Olivia (Olymbia in Greek) Georgia Malekos, 74, announces the passing on 3/6/26, of their eldest sister. She was the anxiously-awaited first-born of Louis and Helen Malekos and was a life-long resident of Modesto, having attended John Muir Elementary through Thomas Downey High School through which she maintained many friendships to this day. She was the chair of the past five Downey Class of 1970 reunions which she enjoyed immensely. She graduated from Modesto Junior College with an Associates of Arts degree and from California State University, Stanislaus. She was proud to say she was a 100% first generation Greek and Cretan American since both her parents were born in Crete, Greece, before being raised in the U.S.
Olivia was a supervisor in the Marketing Research Department at Gallo Winery for 10 years and finished her career working for Stanislaus County Community Services Agency for 28 years. There, she served on the annual International Cultural Day committee for the agency's employees, organizing speakers, diversity entertainers and providing Greek food demonstrations herself. Olivia also had her own marketing research company for 30 years, which she enjoyed including family and friends in various projects. In her retirement years, she found a new passion organizing comedy and entertainment shows throughout the valley where she enjoyed meeting talented young people.
Olivia was a lifelong member of the Greek Orthodox Church and the PanCretan Association of America. Known for her artistic flair, Olivia was in charge of decorations at the Greek Food Festival and many Cretan events over the years.
Olivia had a generous nature and was always helping others. From serving as a 4-H Troop leader to tutoring fellow college students, to helping care for her parents, to providing assistance to friends and co-workers, Olivia was always willing to help.
We have lost our matriarch sister, cousin and friend whom we could always count on for medical advice, cooking lessons, and memories of the early family days. As the eldest sister, she lovingly guided, supported, and encouraged us.
Olivia was a fabulous cook and baker. We will miss her at our family gatherings where she always cooked her delicious Greek specialties for us like pastitsio, dolmades, skordalia, karidopita, and at Easter, homemade Greek Easter bread. We enjoyed annual trips to casinos, Las Vegas, and wine tasting trips. She loved getting her family, cousins, and friends together for dinner
parties celebrating birthdays, name days, and anniversaries.
Olivia adored her niece, Eleni, who meant the world to her. She was a devoted aunt to and biggest fan of Eleni, attending school and sports activities throughout the years.
Olivia joins her loving parents, and many special aunts, uncles and cousins who have pre-deceased her. She was a kind and very generous person on Earth, and now she is a beautiful soul in heaven. Olivia is survived by her youngest sister and best friend Cynthia Malekos, her sister Christine Malekos-Quick and her husband Robert Quick, both on whom she could always count, her larger-than-life brother Nicholas Malekos, her niece and the apple of her eye, Eleni Malekos Quick, and numerous cousins and friends. May her memory be eternal!