Obituaries

Cleopatra “Cleo” Pileggi of Newport News, VA, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the age of 86. Cleo was born January 1, 1940, in the village of Kakavia, Albania, to parents Fotis and Efthalia Fotiou.

Her journey to the United States began in 1952, when, after many nights of careful planning, her mother successfully orchestrated their family’s escape from communist Albania into neighboring Greece. In 1956, having survived four years in a refugee camp, her family received sponsorship from a church in Morgantown, WV, to emigrate to the United States. There, Cleo worked as a seamstress to help provide for her family as they adjusted to life in their new American home. While in Morgantown, she met her husband, Leonard D. Pileggi, and welcomed her beloved daughter, Frances Pileggi. The Pileggi family eventually moved to Newport News, where she lived for 49 years, surrounded by family. Cleo was steadfast in her faith and a devoted servant to her church, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. She proudly served on both the Philoptochos and the Hellenic Women’s Penelope Society for many decades.

Cleo was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers, Chris and Harry Fotiou. She is survived by her daughter, her brother Ted Fotiou (Jo Ellen), sister Pandora Moehle (Sarkis), numerous nieces and nephews, and her darling grand-dogs Lilly and Bailey.

Although small in stature, Cleo will be remembered as a strong woman of unwavering faith, enthusiasm for life, and great pride in her Greek heritage. She will be greatly missed.

A visitation will be held from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Peninsula Funeral Home, with a Trisagion service starting at 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, September 17, at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Burial will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.