It's been 5 years and we miss you more than ever! We love you so much and while we mourn you we also remember the great memories you gave us! 💖

Beloved Randa, I still miss you so very much! It is difficult to believe that today marks the 4th year anniversary of Randa's passing. Many thoughts keep going through my mind about what we did but more about what we didn't do when Randa was alive and healthy.  October 1 will mark our 60th anniversary. These memories do not fade away with the passing years. I loved you then, I love you now and I will always love you.  You have been a wonderful wife and mother. I will always miss you, but I am eternally grateful that God let us have 56 years of wedded bliss.   
Your beloved husband, Gabriel

Today on September 24, 2 years ago in 2020,  a beautiful  soul said goodbye to this world and went to heaven. While those of us left behind mourn our loss, we should be comforted by knowing that Randa is in the presence of God and can watch over all her loved ones. We pray that Randa will guide us as we meander through this world and look forward to being with her once again.
With love,
Gabby

Happy Birthday Mom! We think of you and miss you so much! You were always there for us trying to make us happy! You were the best mom ever! 

I still remember the first time I met Gabby and Randa as Norm and I hosted them at our home during the chairman search. Yes, in some ways it seems like yesterday; some ways, forever ago. All the Super Bowl parties, Sugar Bowl parties at their house, our house and at the homes of other faculty members. Those are the times I really miss. Randa was a superb hostess and a good friend. Her memory will be a blessing in my life.

Happy anniversary Mom and Dad! I went by today to drop off some extra flowers... still a part of it is so surreal and yet a part has become the norm. We miss you so much Mom and you are present with us everyday! ♥️

Today, October 1, is the day that we got married in Anniston, AL The reason we were there is another story. On that day, I pledged her my love for all eternity and I still wear the ring that she gave me on that day as a symbol of my love and commitment. Today, we commemorate our 56th year of marriage. 
One week ago, September 24, was the day one year ago that she passed into her eternal life. On that day, the family gathered at the mausoleum and commemorated her passing. We brought flowers for Randa and said a few prayers and notes of remembrance. I also recited a poem that I wrote for Randa in 1965 when we were apart. 

Although I miss you always, it is after sundown that the ache begins.
The night brings with it my deep loneliness for you.
For as I walk beneath the lovely dark blue sky,
I remember once again the ecstasy and bliss which I have known with you,  and I remember also the happiness which you have given me. 
Looking at the stars as they twinkle reminds me of your eyes and of your smile, and remembering your smile, I realize how much you mean to me. 
But its when looking at the darkness beyond the stars, that I realize your worth.
For such would be my life without your love. 
Love you forever,
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RANDA!!
Your loving husband,
Gabby

May 9, Mother's Day
It has been several months since I added a memory, but we did visit her at the Mausoleum on Mother's day. We brought flowers and cards to wish my  beloved wife a Happy Mother's Day. I think that Randa was pleased with our efforts to honor her. More weeks have passed and Randa and I celebrated birthdays for Gabriel, our son, and his two sons, Gabriel James and Hunt. Randa, we still think of you often and send our love every day.
Gabby 


Dear Gabby, 
 
I learned the news with a heavy and broken heart that Randa, the beloved wife, the loving mother, our esteemed friend had left us.
I too have countless dear memories with Randa, especially from the early ’80s, when we felt so orphaned on my first American study trip, with my wife and our two little daughters in Hoover, Birmingham. We will never forget those great family lunches, the Thanksgiving turkey, the Mexican food that was completely unknown to us at the time, but still so close to our taste and historical traditional cuisine.
We will never forget that authentic and heartfelt family love either, that we were so lucky to experience in your company.
Every passing is painful, but if we feel her absence all over again, I believe the only value is what leaves a mark. We know it for a fact that grief is not only painful but also uplifting: if we have something to grieve, if there is something we need to miss, then there is value in life, and it gives strength even to the toughest!
 
   We are aware of what Sándor Weöres, the Hungarian poet says:
 
“We’re all leaving, we’re all leaving under rocking trees,
under the humid sky we all set out through the wilderness
under the dry sky,… ”
 
But those who stay here, know this is not the end! We believe and confess that we are all part of humanity and are fulfilling a task for all of us, for the future, and as we become ashes and dust, our traces remain, and new life emanates from it; it is comforting.
 
 “Because what happened once,
no order changes
neither God nor the devils:
it seems fleeting and eternal.”
 
While I share your pain from the bottom of my heart, I want all the values, the consequences and messages of our rich common life to give you due strength and perseverance!
 
With love
 
László Rosivall 
Budapest



April 1, 2021
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANDA!!
On this day 77 years ago, God sent a beautiful soul to join us in  this world and help make everyone she touched a little bit happier. Twenty one years later, she made me the happiest man in the world by joining me in Holy Matrimony.  For 55 years, through the hard times and sad times, she stayed with me and brought 4 wonderful children into this world.  Although I wanted more, I am eternally grateful that God gave me these wonderful years with my Beloved  before He took her back. Now we have the many memories of our times together. On this day, we visited her, remembered the many  good times and brought her flowers, and asked her to watch over us until we join her.  
Love,
Gabby

Dear Gabby,

I learned only last night speaking with John Hall of Randa’s passing.  We cannot meaningfully express our distress and sympathies for you and the family.  Terrie and I have many shared wonderful memories of the four of us together in all corners of the world but most fondly of our early years in Jackson.   You were very fortunate to have found such a strong, independent and loyal partner in life.  We deeply understand the meaning of her loss to you.   But you are also strong and you are fortunate to have close and supportive family and friends to lean on.  I am sorry that we were not sooner aware of things, although we knew from your silence that things were probably not good.  

Terrie and I want you to know that you are greatly on our minds and send our sincere and deep condolences.

With love and friendship, 
Allen and Terrie  



Randa Ann Navar 
Memories and Reflections

It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I take this opportunity to record some of the treasured memories and stories about my dear sister-in-law Randa Ann who for 55 years was the devoted and loving wife of my brother Gabriel. She was a blessing so many years ago to arrive into his life as he had recently and with difficulty recovered from a previous engagement gone awry. Yet, what a testament to joy after pain as their romance and marriage blossomed into a beautiful family of four kids which grew across the years to encompass spouses and grandchildren. Randa and Gabby had and have a close-knit family who love and help each other to go along life’s many paths where sometimes many trials and tribulations can be found. Throughout these twists and turns Randa was a rock to her children, a support to her siblings, and an incomparable partner to her husband. Tonia’s recovery from two hip surgeries was no doubt made much easier because of her mother’s nursing care through her recuperation. Randa’s brothers and sister talk about how much she parented them in their early years. My brother Gabby could not have had such a successful career with so many devoted graduate students and esteemed colleagues around him without her skillful and generous hosting expertise.

Randa brought a Southern flair to my family as soon after she joined us my dad acquired the affectionate name of “Papa Louie” (or sometimes King Louie) and my mom was “Mama Lita” (short for abuelita, or grandmother in Spanish). Her knack for cooking amazed and delighted my brother as after enjoying her culinary skills he discovered vegetables can be delicious!
(part 0ne)
Written by Isabelle Navar



(part 2)
I have a deep and abiding appreciation for Randa and her contribution to our family. She was and is so important to us as a staunch support to my brother (it isn’t always easy to be a faculty spouse) and a loving mother to her children. The value of the love and loyalty that Randa brought to our family is illustrated by something she told me at one of our family gatherings. She was talking about her life as a young woman and I commented on how hard some of her early experiences had been. She said in her soft Southern tone with such serenity and clarity, “My life started when I married your brother.”

Randa had a rich sense of humor, a wry intelligence and a vitality that made one think she would last forever. She could shine with elegance and grace in the most sophisticated settings or be completely at ease with casual homespun comfort. Randa is missed deeply by family and friends. She was so central in motivating and protecting those closest to her that going forward without her will be a significant challenge, but we can take courage from seeing how she lived her life and from knowing that she would want us to be free of sadness as we remember her and treasure those memories.

Written by Isabelle Navar


I just learned of Randa's death.  Gabby, family, and friends, my deepest condolences on your loss.  I enjoyed seeing Randa at the annual physiology chairs meetings and recall her deep affection for Arkansas, and the importance of family in her life.  Gabby, I hope the many memories wonderful memories of the good times you shared with Randa provides you some comfort in your time of grief. 

My Dearest Randa,
On this special Valentine's day, I went to visit you and bring you flowers and a special card. On this day, I pledged my love to you again. My love for you will continue until the end of time, no matter where we are! .
I loved you then, 
I love you now, and 
I will love you forever!
After all, YOU are MY Valentine!
Your loving husband,
Gabby 

Dear Gabby,
It made me smile when I saw that you used part of Robert Frost's poem, "The Master Speed" which Norm had saved about he and I, 
about how a couple's love takes them to a greater height together,
"wing to wing and oar to oar". Life, love is a circle. Part of Norm is here now, with Randa, with you, and with me. Your love with Randa continues grow, as mine does with Norm. We are all part of that great energy, called Love. 

Deborah Hollenberg

On Dec 31, Danny and I went to wish Randa Happy New Year. As I told my beloved Randa, "this will be the first year in 55 years that I will not be able to give you a big New Year's Kiss! But I come to you to let you know that I will miss you greatly and will be thinking of you and all our wonderful years that God let us have together. I will always love you and we will always be together! Oar to oar and wing to wing".  
Back in 1965 when I was courting Randa, I would write her very long letters and sometimes poems telling her of my love for her. Some of the notes and poems were in Spanish, but then I had to provide the English translation. One of my poems (if you can call it that) is below. 
              Some things of God are so special that they pertain only to Him, 
              And surely she is a small part of Him.
              But, I shall ask Him if He will lend her to me for just a little while.
              And, when her life is over, I  will return her to Him,
              The only one who is really worthy of her.

Your loving Gabby

Well this was me and Dad visiting you New year's Eve ... the last time I was here in 2020 and now I'm here for the first time in 2021. I wish I could say things have gotten simpler, things have gotten easier, but you you know that's not true! 😉 A lot of things to not be happy about right now, but focusing on the future, I hope we have some brighter days ahead! I still miss you so much everyday and I know your presence can help provide balance to all of us in the family! ❤️ Love you Momma!

October 15, 2020
To my Beloved Randa,
On this day 55 years ago, our marriage was blessed by our priest in a church wedding in the cathedral in Jackson, Mississippi. We always joked that your anniversary was Oct 1, but mine was Oct 15. Well both dates are right. We had 55 years of wonderful and exciting times. Sometimes, the going was rough but you stayed the course and we had 4 wonderful kids and more exciting times than I can remember. The good times greatly outnumbered the rough times.  I love you now more than I ever have. May you rest in peace and please take care of us. 
Your loving husband, 
Gabby

Oct 1, 2020
Dear Beloved Randa,
I know that you are still with us so I want you to know that I will love you always. On this special day fifty five years ago, we were married. Being with you all these years has been blissful! May you rest in peace with these memories of our anniversary .
Your loving husband,
Gabby

Dear Mama, 

I really can't believe it! It feels like a dream or a nightmare. I only feel okay when I let myself forget. Then I remember and denial and grief set in! What gives me comfort is that you loved your life and I got to be a big part of that! You wanted to fight and that was apparent the whole time! I know you want me to stay strong and remember the good times. I love you so much and you will always be with me!!! 

Love Danny

To the Navar Family
Our sincere condolences on the passing of dear Randa.  We have fond memories of Randa's kindness, her warm welcome at her house, her sense of humor, her beautiful smile and her lovely presence. 
May her memory be eternal

Solange and Nazih Nakhoul

Gabby, 
I loved Randa. 
We fished, planted, canned, cooked, rode four-wheelers, walked in the snow, and had wonderful times being together at Calico Rock. Those were some of the best times of my life, and I will never forget. 
Randa was so giving of her time and affection. I will miss her always. 
I love you, Gabby. 

Dear Gabby and Randa's family,

What a joyous life Randa lived. She gave her warmth and love fully to you, her family.
When you are very sad Gabby, I know Randa will comfort  you with her warmth and her love and you will know that she is with you, and will be, forevermore.
And I know for Randa, you will all watch over Gabby, her other side,
with love.

With deepest sympathy,
Deborah Hollenberg
Norman's light is with you, Gabby



I am Gabby's work colleague in the hypertension researchers circle. I am from Toledo, OH. I met Randa only once, in the US Virgin Islands, at the Chairs of Physiology Retreat in 2015.  She had a strong  positive aura around her. She and I had a great conversation about being moms and raising our sons in particular. She had some great insights to share that I cherish to this day. Although I was a complete stranger to her, she was quite welcoming , which I appreciated.  She gave much to this world in her own simple ways. 
May she rest in peace.
With my deepest sympathies,
Dr. Bina Joe

Randa, you were the ultimate hostess.  You always made my family feel welcome in your home, even after I moved from Tulane to LSU.  It was a joy to be a witness to your marriage to Gabby for over 30 years.  I know that you will be missed by many, including me.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Randa Ann Navar

1 avril 1944 – 24 septembre 2020

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

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