Donna R. Cleaver

Donna R. Cleaver, age 78, of Westminster, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at her residence. Born December 18, 1944, in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Edgar Smith and Vivian Wavie (Fryfogle) Palladi. She was the wife of 46 years to Albert William Cleaver, Jr. Surviving in addition to her husband is her daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and James Adams; brother and sister-in-law, David Lance and Pamela Smith; sister and brother-in-law, Merry Jan and Rick Pundzak; stepbrother Joseph and Rhonda Palladi; stepsister Janet Palladi and husband Jim Casteen; brother in law Joseph and Kelly Cleaver; sister in law Janice and Michael Conte; and granddaughters, Alexandra Adams and Olivia Adams and husband Parker Barnes. Donna loved her friends, family and pets including many dogs, cats, a horse, and a goat. She realized two dreams, having a farm and owning a DeLorean sports car. She loved their farm in Westminster, named Serenity Stables, that she and Al shared for 33 years and called it her “little piece of Heaven”. She found solace in the barn taking care of her animals including many horses that were boarded there. She enjoyed working in the garden. She loved being surrounded by wildlife, especially the deer and birds including a pair of Canada Geese that would return each year to raise their babies on their pond. Ali and Olivia named them Simon and Dorothy Ann. Donna was a fabulous baker and everyone especially loved her cheesecake, cherry pie and fudge. In the late 80’s she had a cottage baking business selling her cakes and pies to several local Howard County restaurants. She loved documenting her friends and family and the beauty of nature. It was difficult to find her in the many photos she had so neatly organized because she was usually on the other side of the camera. She created beautiful scrapbooks to share and everyone would spend hours pouring over her latest album at family gatherings. She loved Christmas and hosting the extended family on Christmas Eve. She passed on her passions to her daughter and granddaughters as well as her beloved nephews and their families. She started Interior Images in 1982 from her Ellicott City home as a shop-at-home window treatment company and it quickly grew into a showroom that sold window, wall and floor coverings to homeowners, builders and other businesses. For a time there was also a commercial furniture division and a window treatment manufacturing facility in Columbia, MD. She loved helping her clients turn their house into a home and still has repeat clients calling. Al will continue to run the business which is now located in Westminster. The world and our family lost a smart, strong, beautiful inside and out, caring, compassionate, amazing woman. So many people and animals were touched by her kindness and generous spirit. She will be missed and life will not be the same without her. The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 11, 2023, from 2 to 4 PM at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road in Sykesville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Days End Farm Horse Rescue www.defhr.org Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com

Donna R. Cleaver

December 18, 1944 - June 7, 2023