Cleo Maletis

Cleo Nicki Maletis (March 11, 1925 – November 9, 2009) was a Canadian-born American beauty pageant titleholder.

[2] One year later on June 28, 1947 Cleo was married to Chris C. Maletis, Jr. in Vancouver.

While pregnant with her youngest son Rob, she became "Mrs. America 1957" while visiting numerous European countries as an honorary ambassador.

During this time, Maletis became interested in the growing trend of working mothers in Denmark, praising the Danish nurseries that allowed for both parents to work; a trend not yet realized for 1957 suburban Portland.

[4][5][6] Maletis suffered from Alzheimer's disease since 2002 and died on November 9, 2009, in Portland, Oregon surrounded by her family.