Obituary for my mother

Naomi Joyce Tavani, born August 31, 1926, died peacefully in hospice care in Pasadena, CA on December 5, 2011. Beloved wife of Nicholas J. Tavani, who preceded her in death 5 years ago. They had been married since June 25, 1951.

A retired management consultant who pioneered specialization in consulting medical professionals, she also held credentials as an ordained minister very active in church life. She provided spiritual encouragement and counsel, especially to women, and, like her father, gave of her substance to help people in need, being especially generous to Christ-centered missions. Her generosity was amplified by her hospitality as she opened her home to family, friends and strangers for many a festive occasion and home-cooked meal.

She especially enjoyed music, playing both piano and trumpet. A Bible-reading, praying woman of faith (her favorite symbol was the "praying hands"), she often would quote Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

With her husband, she raised three sons. Her oldest son oldest son, Dr. Nicholas J. Tavani, Jr., with his wife, Donna, have 6 sons: Nicholas, Michael, Stephen, Daniel, Matthew, and Jonathan. Her second, Stephen D. Tavani, with his wife, Linda, have 2 daughters: Sierra and Nikola. The youngest son, Craig R. Tavani, with his wife, Tine, have 3 children: Vincent, Marcus, and Sonia. One brother survives her: Eli Spinosi; she was preceded in death by her father, Michael, and mother, Marie; and by her brother, Ralph, and four sisters, Patty, Tabitha, Anna, and Ruth.

Memorial services on each coast are being arranged. Remembrances may be e-mailed to Nick Tavani at ntavani@gmail.com.

Aslan's Country is Home

My mentor at Immaculata, Sr. Sheila Galligan, wrote the following in her book on conversion in the works of C.S. Lewis entitled, SLOW-PACED WE COME:

The allusions to the image of homecoming are particularly effective in THE LAST BATTLE. To cite but one example, we read that when Jewel [the unicorn] discovers that Aslan's country is the fulfillment of his heart's longing he bursts forth in joy (LB, 162):

"I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. this is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now. The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometime's looked a little like this ... ."

Jewel, of course, has steadfastly "turned" toward Aslan and home throughout the story. He refused to believe in the false Aslan [Tashlan] and in his own way seeks to keep the others on the right path.

Our hope in heaven in which I am finding great consolation

The day after my mother went home to "Aslan's Country," I had the privilege to teach a class in which we discussed THE LAST BATTLE by C.S. Lewis.

I went as usual to the class that I teach every Tuesday at Immaculata University. It was the final class session before our final exam next week and we were discussing this final book in the Chronicles of Narnia. I must admit that my emotions were very near the surface and I had to be very careful to keep my composure during the course of teaching all evening. However, the reason I opted to go teach was because the subject matter touched precisely on what my faith needed to focus on at this time - our hope of heaven in which I am finding great consolation.

Naomi Joyce Tavani, R.I.P

My brother, Stephen, called me on Monday about 4:30 in the afternoon. He told me that he had good news - our mother was no longer in pain.