Gone Too Soon

Shannon Cloward 1961 - 2011

My heart goes out to Shannon's family. I wish she could have stayed here with us a little longer. But in my mind I know that it was a miraculous gift from God she was with us as long as she was. Thank you Shannon, we miss you already. We love you.

2 December was the day I returned from my mission in 1998, now I will remember Shannon on this day too, the day she finished her mission on earth. She lives on, thinking of her will continue to help me live right so that I can be worthy to be with her and the Savior again. I know Shannon made it, cause she was already an angel on earth.

Shannon's personality and smile and light remind me of my best friend from college Kristy Casperson Swiderski, who was also taken Home sooner than I would have liked. She was my same age by just a few days and died from cancer on October 25, 2006. I miss you Kristy, I want to be more like you, I wish you were here to help me learn how.

So I'm sad for all of us left behind, but having beloved friends and family pass on makes the Plan of Salvation feel more real. I know it is true. Christ died for us, and through Him we will all live again.

Love you Shannon.

Here is her obituary:

Shannon Wilson Cloward 

1961 ~ 2011 

Shannon Mary Wilson Cloward, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend passed away peacefully on December 2, 2011 surrounded by family after her courageous battle with cancer. She was 50 years old. Shannon was the oldest of six children born in Burlington, Washington June 25, 1961 to Kirk and Paula Wilson. She attended Burlington-Edison High School, where she was Student-body Vice-President her junior year and President her senior year. She also excelled in tennis, basketball and debate. Due to her leadership skills, she was one of two people selected from the state of Washington to attend a student government seminar in Washington D.C. She then went to Brigham Young University where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in history. There she met and was sealed to Randy Cloward in the Seattle Temple. They had 5 wonderful children together. Randy and Shannon continued to be close friends throughout the years despite divorcing.

Shannon always lived life to the fullest. Her battle with breast cancer began when she was 35 years old but never slowed her down. Tennis, marathons, triathlons, hikes, BYU sports, Jazz basketball, Wilson family holiday parties, and her job she loved at Jordan Valley School working in Special Education were just some of the activities that enriched her life up to the end. She was an incredible and devoted mother to her children and was compassionately devoted to taking care of her special needs son Kevin, who brought her much joy and fulfillment.

A faithful, devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she spent her life in the service of her faith and others. She touched and inspired so many lives as she served and loved those with whom she came in contact. She was a natural leader, serving in many positions of leadership throughout her life.

Shannon is survived by many family members that will miss her greatly, her five children: Amy (Adam) Sybrowsky, Alison, Paul (currently serving an LDS mission in Scotland), Kevin, and T.J,; her parents - Kirk and Paula; her brothers and sisters - Craig (Cari) Wilson, Holly (Steve) Crandall, Wendy (Calvin) Hunter, Kari (Eric) Hull, Keith (Lynsi) Wilson; many nephews and nieces; and her loving grandchild, Ava. Many have been touched and influenced for good by Shannon. She was constantly looking out for those who needed a friend or a place for a holiday dinner.

She would want to thank those who cared for her over the years including Dr. Difiore, her nurse Kristen and the rest of the staff, and also hospice services and her nurse Camille. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that contributions be made in her memory to the LDS Church Missionary Fund, 50 E. North Temple, SLC, UT 84150. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Granite Ridge Ward, 9575 So. 3100 East, where a visitation will be held 9:30-10:45 a.m. Interment Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery/Mortuary. Online condolences: www.larkincares.com