Mary Cleaver Lehr, 74, beloved Mother, MomMom, Nana, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend passed away January 2nd at her home in Middletown, surrounded by those she loved.

A natural born caregiver, she was born on April 19, 1944 and raised in and around Newark, Delaware, the second oldest of the 11 children of the late Alfred and Ella Cleaver, Sr. She was a giving soul who was always willing to lend an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on, and she opened her heart and home to anyone who needed it. Mary loved family above all else. She was an avid reader who enjoyed traveling, the beach, and the slots (the more lights, bells and whistles the better). She was a skilled locksmith, and built a career at Southco, Inc where she started as a machinist. Through hard-work and dedication, she retired after 22 years of service as a respected and loved product line manager.

Mary is survived by her adoring children Patty Heck (Craig), Bob Dougherty (Danielle), sister-in-law, but daughter-at-heart, Susan Cleaver (Bud), grandchildren Jesse (Wendy), Jordan, Mikayla, Rachel, Erin, Kyle, and Dylan, and great-grandchildren Zoey, Adeline, and London. She was pre-deceased by her beloved brother Alfred (Bud) Cleaver, Jr., and best friend Sandy McDade. Mary predeceased her older brother Dick Cleaver (Delene) by only a few hours. Together they began their journey home to be with their mother, father, and Bud. She will be lovingly remembered by her surviving siblings Jim Cleaver, Tom Cleaver (Dotty), Sara Pannier, Lenny Hill, Rennie Johnson (Johnny), Moya Cleaver, Kenny Cleaver, and Roger McCall, Sr. (Wendy) and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A service will be held in Mary’s honor at 11a.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at R.T. Foard & Jones, Inc., 122 W. Main St., Newark, DE 19711, where family and friends may visit beginning at 10a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the “American Cancer Society” or to the “Alzheimer’s Association” and sent in care of the funeral home.