Mandana Tavakoli, age 63, passed away while surrounded by family on June 16th, 2024 in Houston, Texas. She was born on September 21st, 1960 in Iran, to Ahmad and Mahin Tavakoli. She attended Melli University in Tehran, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Physics. While at university, Mandana met the love of her life, Amir Aryan. They were married in 1980 and were only able to live together for 72 days before Amir was imprisoned by the Islamic Republic for his beliefs. He was executed along with thousands of others in the summer of 1988. Mandana remained faithful to her husband even after his death, and fueled by that love, continued to fight political injustice with fiery determination. She loved Amir on her last day as passionately as she did when they first met, and often shared memories of their short but love-filled life together.

In 1994, Mandana moved to Germany and graduated as a CT and MRI technician. She worked in the Mainz Hospital for many years, before moving to Texas in 2005 to be closer to family. She continued her healthcare career at Ben Taub Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital in Houston, where she was a CT, MRI, and radiology technician. In her free time, Mandana enjoyed traveling and being in nature. She was fond of Switzerland and hoped to visit again in her retirement. She also enjoyed classical music and was fluent in German, English, and her native Persian. She delighted in cooking and baking her favorite meals for others to enjoy. Mandana was full of kindness and affection and despite the suffering she endured, she always remained hopeful for a life filled with passion, joy, and the warmth of love.

Mandana is preceded in death by her father Ahmad and husband Amir. She is survived by her mother Mahin and her sisters:Mitra and husband Jafar Tafarroji, Mojdeh and her husband Bahram Jamali, and Anahita and her husband Amir Salehian. She is also survived by her nephews and nieces: Amir Tafarroji, Nika Tafarroji and husband Zane Stone, Anita Jamali, and Liana Salehian. Her memory will also be remembered by many other family members and friends around the world.

She will be dearly missed by those who were lucky enough to know her. We invite family and friends to Peevey Funeral Home, 12440 Beamer Rd, Houston, TX 77089, on Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 at 11:00am for a funeral service honoring Mandana's life. Burial service will follow at Grand View Funeral Home & Memorial Park (Bethany Cemetery), 8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505.