Our perfect boy gained his wings, surrounded by loved ones after a valiant fight with a cardiac arrest and a Chiari malformation on December 29th 2023. Benjamin was born December 10th, 2020 as an early birthday present for his sister, Destiny, who throughout the entire pregnancy said he would be born on her birthday. He almost was her birthday twin.
Benjamin was such a sweet and happy child and so smart to boot. He always had a smile and a hug to offer, cheering up all he encountered. He impressed everyone, learning how to use things like the paper towel dispenser at daycare, or the locks in the house at a very young age. He would find keys or broken plastic spoons that he hid and open doors, sneaking in to turn on the sink or press the water dispenser so he could play in the water, which was one of his favorite things to do.
Benjamin had such a silly sense of humor. While he was taking baths, he loved to be silly and flop around to give his mom a fright. He would then stand up and laugh and laugh about it. Benjamin was so creative and innovative. When he figured out how to peel his own clementines, he was so proud of himself that the bag couldn’t be kept out of his reach. He would make his own platforms or climb on his highchair to reach the oranges. You always knew where he was because there would be a trail of orange peels leading right to him. He was fascinated with wheels and gears and loved to play with fidget spinners or anything else with wheels.
His favorite person was always his sister since day one, and they were the best of friends. He copied just about anything she did, howling like a wolf, jumping onto the bed with her or playing the ukulele. He even copied the way she ate which was always the top first then the rest of the food! They loved to make up fun games like wiggly eyebrows or peeka peeka boo or play singing monsters and wildcraft on their tablets. They had dance parties, sang together, hung out and watched YouTube, or jumped on the trampoline. He talked to her the most, which was meaningful because he was partially deaf and had ear tubes when he was younger. She was teaching him how to use words and letters.
He also loved to video chat and snuggle with his oldest sister Shyla. He always thought it was so funny to hang the phone up on her and laugh about it.
Benjamin absolutely loved his mother, or “mom mom” as he called her. He brightened every day with his sweet gestures. He liked to feed her and make sure that she ate what he was offering, even if she didn’t necessarily want to. He loved to pick out gifts for her and was so thoughtful. He had the best taste, finding bathrobes, bath bombs, and all the things moms love. They did the most fun things together, like dance and sing and practice words. He always knew how to make her feel so loved. They even had a joke where he would call her a BRAAAAAT and they would laugh so hard afterwards.
His name for his dad was “Ahba” and he loved him so much. They had the best times together, being rambunctious and silly. He got a thrill out of using his dad as a jungle gym and slide. He especially liked to be mischievous when he was with his dad, because he thought it was so funny. Benjamin and his dad shared a bond in all that they did together, whether playing games or just talking and laughing.
He loved it when his Dia, Karla came over for fun dinners and playing games. They had all sorts of fun and then would just relax and fall asleep together.
Every morning Benjamin would wake his mom up with morning cuddles and kisses. He loved to just snuggle and relax with his mom and dad. He really enjoyed getting on his dad’s computer and talking with his friends and pressing buttons to chat with them. It would bring a smile to their faces to hear how excited he was about it. He loved it when they would go on trips to Idaho and visit his grandparents. He would do fun things there like bounce houses, slip and slides, and splash pads. He always liked visits from his grandmas. One funny thing he would do with his Grandma Esther was take her on walks in the kitchen with her walker. They would do that for hours. He always loved when his Grandma Robin would visit because he got to go on Costco runs and she would always give him snacks.
Benjamin is preceded in death by his grandmother, Esther Angela de Lannoy Cloward, great grandmothers, Elizabeth de Lannoy and Viva Cloward, and great grandfathers, Wilam de Lannoy, and Mark Cloward. Benjamin is survived by his sisters, Destiny Hamby and Shyla Burch, his mother, Amber Cloward, and father, Connor MacLeod, his grandparents, Robin and Jack MacLeod, Irwin Cloward, Sheila and Doug Burton and his Dia, Karla, among many others blessed to know and love him.
A special thanks to Kids of Camelot, his daycare that treated him as their own child and loved him since he started going at 8 weeks old. You guys are top notch and we are so grateful for the fun and love he received from all of you.
Any who desire may send donations to Venmo @Amber-Cloward-1 or https://gofund.me/c142af7d
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 12th, 2024 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary 3401 S. Highland Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84106. Funeral Services will be December 13th, 2024 at 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM with a viewing at 12:00 PM, also at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary 3401 S. Highland Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84106. A family luncheon will follow at 7035 W. Loch Ness Avenue, West Valley City Utah 84128
