Leonardo Hayden Hunter

2016 ~ 2019

Leo, our baby goose, made his way back up to heaven on the morning of Thursday, March 28th, 2019 at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Leo was being held by his mom and dad, and he was surrounded by the people who loved him most.

Leo was born on Wednesday, January 27th, 2016 at American Fork Hospital to Hayden and Angelique Hunter. He came into this world fighting, and he left this world fighting. After spending over a month at Primary's, affectionately known as his second home, Leo went home with a laundry list of medical diagnoses and an uncertain prognosis. Despite those medical issues, Leo was the happiest boy to ever live. He had a light about him that couldn't help but draw everyone in. Everyone lucky enough to have met Leo loved him. It was impossible not to.

With the help of his loving family, his medical team, and all of his therapists and specialists, Leo thrived. He exceeded expectations from day one, and he did so with excitement and pure joy. He was so satisfied with himself whenever he learned something new, and he'd gladly spend hours showing his new skills off.

Once Leo turned three, he started preschool at the Utah School for the Blind. Although he only got to go for a few short months, he excelled. He became more social, and the happiest boy got even happier. His teacher, Mike, would regularly send pictures and updates throughout the school day, and Leo was always having the best of times. He especially loved music time, yoga, and playing with the training dogs.

Leo will be lovingly remembered by his mom, his dad, and his baby sisters, Luciana and Viviana—who he got to meet in heaven months before she came earth-side. He'll also never be forgotten by his grandparents, Jenny Butler and Ryan Riddle, Jodi and Dan Lund, and Harold and Stacey Hunter. Leo was also fortunate enough to love and be remembered by his great-grandparents, Valme and Donald Butler, Pauline and Jeff Pratt, Jack and Maria Riddle, and Pamela Smith. Leo had a very close bond with his uncles and aunts, Noah Riddle, Jonah Riddle, Cera Lund (Josh and Luna), Carson Hunter, Brady Lund, Danial Lund, Preston Lund, and Marcela Walker (Braden and Krew). Leo will also be remembered by many cousins, great-uncles, great-aunts, and honorary aunts and uncles. In addition to leaving behind an army of people who love him, Leo was met in heaven by his great-grandparents, Maria Belmonte Villanueva, Isamu Mochizuki, Louise Hunter, Lucille Lund, and Don Smith. Leo was especially excited to reunite with his uncle, Austin Hunter.

Our family would like to thank all of Leo's team up in the PICU for the last week of his life. The compassion and kindness you showed will never be forgotten. Every choice made by the team only had his best interests at heart. Our family would also like to thank Leo's pediatrician, Dr. Brian McCune, for a lifetime of excellent care. We know how much you loved him, and we appreciate the advocacy, the advice, and the support given throughout his three short years. The whole team at Utah Valley Pediatrics, especially Alex and Brooke, loved Leo, and we appreciate how well you took care of him.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 5th, at 11am at Larkin Sunset Gardens, located at 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road, where friends and family may visit Thursday April 4th, from 6-8pm and Friday from 9:45-10:45am. We ask that everyone wears bright, beautiful colors to his service now that our bright, beautiful boy can see. Donations can be made via GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/y65bgs-love-for-leo or via PayPal to angelfrancobb@gmail.com. Flowers are being coordinated through The Rose Shop in Sandy, which can be contacted at (801)501-7673.