Who was this bright-eyed, dark and curly headed woman, who always had a kind word for every person crossing her path? With an easy going nature, Donna Malleg was the sort of person who instantly connected with folks, and not surprisingly, most folks instantly fell in love with her. Defined by the food she cooked and her passion for baking, Donna was a simple country girl at heart who longed to someday live on a farm with oodles of chickens and cows while tending her vast gardens. Her greatest satisfaction in life was sharing her finely crafted creations whether it was chicken corn soup, sourdough bread, or cheesecake. This made her happy. It was her joy. Let's take a peek into the woman known as wife, mom, grandma, and friend.


Born in York, Pennsylvania on June 24, 1950, her early years were spent in Culver City, California with her immediate family and grandmother. She was comfortably sandwiched between two imaginative and adventurous brothers. Life was anything but dull! Returning to York as a young girl, she spent the remainder of her years in the country cooking up more adventures and mishaps with her brothers. Eventually, at 18 she married and birthed 3 spunky children. At 30, she found herself back in California, where she found the love of her life, Paul Malleg. They spent the next handful of years in Los Angeles raising their family. Longing for a slower pace of life and a chance to spread out, they found the green rolling hills of Fallbrook in San Diego County and made plans to move the family as soon as possible. For the next 25 years, a new house became home. Nearing retirement, she finally got those chickens and gardens she had dreamed of for years. Now with 8 grandchildren and life slowing down, it was time to cook up a new recipe. In 2013, a perfectly suited little white house in Vista became home.


Clearly, Donna was a strong woman brimming with integrity. With a healthy heap of happiness, her easy going nature kept her content most of the time. To all who knew her, she was practical and old-fashioned. Through many trials and much adversity, she became a tenacious and hardworking woman. At her core, she was a generous, compassionate and kind servant. She always thought of others before herself. Most would easily agree that she was devoted and loyal. But most of all, she loved Jesus and followed Him with all her heart. Only in eternity will it be revealed of all the people she touched through her life.


The legacy and values she passed on are many. At her core, she always saw the best in people. She could always be heard saying, "Life gets hard. Deal with it," and, "You never give up!" Naturally, she laid down her life daily for those she loved. The stories are endless. Just ask someone in the family or those she cared for most. She also certainly loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, and mind. At any moment, she never hesitated to drop what she was doing at a request for prayer and by the looks of her bible, it was well loved. To her it was the small things in life that mattered like cooking up someone's favorite meal. It wasn't uncommon to find her freezer loaded with her favorite people's favorite foods. Although it was difficult and painful at times, she strived to let those around her follow their hearts and be free to make their own decisions. She set the bar high for those who follow her.
With heavy hearts of memories never to be made, there is yet rejoicing because she is now in Heaven at peace with the savior of the world.

His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful with a few things; enter into the joy of your master.' Matthew 25:23
O Death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through out Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Yes, she is dancing in heaven with Jesus now, while making plans to cook up a feast in her new dream kitchen. To those she has left behind, they will do best to honor her story and her memory best by embodying the values she lived out everyday. Her whispers can be heard if you listen closely, "Don't cry for me. If you could only experience the joy and glory of where I am you would wipe away those tears. Rejoice!"