Cleopatra Canelos

Cleopatra Canelos passed away peacefully at her home in White Plains, NY, on October 7, 2025. She was 93 years old.
Cleo, as she was affectionately known, was the daughter of Sevasti and Damianos Parlitsis. She and her loving siblings, Thelma and John, grew up in the Bronx, NY. Upon graduating from Washington Irving High School in 1950, Cleo ventured into the working world. She joined the sales team at B. Altman's Department Store in Manhattan, where she ultimately became a buyer for maternity clothing.
Her career in retail took a long hiatus; however, once she met the love of her life, Elias Canelos. They married in 1958 and, just over a year later, had their first son, Nicholas. The three lived together in an apartment in the Bronx until they eventually moved to Scarsdale, NY, in 1971. Shortly thereafter, Cleo gave birth to her beloved son, Damian.
Life in Scarsdale was a breath of fresh air for Cleo and Elias. They cherished their boys and met life's challenges together as a team. Amongst other interests, Cleopatra enjoyed gardening, cooking, and entertaining. Then, tragedy hit in 1987, when Elias succumbed to cancer at the age of 55. His untimely death forced Cleo into the leading role for the family-taking care of her sons (especially Damian, who was just 16 at the time), as well as tending to her mother, Sevasti, and her mother-in-law, Helen.
Her husband's passing brought out all of Cleo's strengths and put her innate independence on full display. She managed her household and finances, returned to the workplace, and rejoined B. Altman's for a period of time, then moved on to Black, Starr & Frost and Aspasia jewelry stores, and finally joined the Couture Department at Neiman Marcus. The retail world suited her because she was outgoing and relished connecting with people.
Cleo's life also revolved around her faith and church. Shortly after Elias' death, Cleo established a library in his memory at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle. In her "librarian" role, she purchased books and arranged for various authors to speak at special events. Likewise, she would run periodic book sales at the Church to help raise money. Cleo also took on a leadership role in "Young at Heart," a social ministry of the parish that brings together senior members of the Church's community for monthly luncheons, educational talks, and travel excursions.
Like the original Queen Cleopatra of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra Canelos was charismatic, determined, resilient, and savvy. She was also loving, caring, and supportive. She will be sorely missed.
Cleo is survived by her brother, John Parlitsis, and her sons, Damian and Nicholas, and daughter-in-law, Maria. She is also survived by Nicholas and Maria's two sons, Nicholas and Zachary. Cleo adored her two grandsons, and her world would light up brightly every time she saw or spoke with them. Lastly, Cleo cared deeply for her nieces and nephews, Sophia Gragnani, Maria Korongy, Danielle Lazarakis, Kaylee Engellener, Tom Voultos, and John Voultos.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY. Cleopatra's funeral service will commence immediately thereafter at the Church. Family and friends will then proceed from the Church for her interment at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, 50 Jackson Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. A memorial luncheon will then be held back at the Holy Trinity Church's Community Center.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, earmarked for the renovation of its Library, located at 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804.