Today Someone I Love Passed Away

by Dianne Ahern

THE BOOK

What happens when we die? This is one of those questions that parents know their children will ask eventually, yet still find very hard to answer. In some cases, this is because the parents may have the same question themselves. Others may just find it too hard to explain such a complicated and emotional topic in a way that a child can understand. Whatever the case may be, Today Someone I Love Passed Away is the perfect answer.

Today Someone I Love Passed Away follows Danny, a young boy who becomes enraged when he learns that he has to give up his room when his Grandpa Vernon comes to live with the family. After the death of a playmate, Grandpa Vernon, with gentle love and patience, teaches the children about death. He answers the children’s questions honestly and with all the knowledge he has as a devoted Catholic. He also tells the children about his own life, as well as the life and death of their grandmother. As time goes by, Danny and his siblings develop a deep love for their grandfather.

As Grandpa Vernon becomes ill, the children must remember all the lessons he has taught them. Luckily, they are able to use this knowledge and their faith to deal with their Grandpa’s decline. Similarly, this book will help young readers have the ability to deal with and understand death in their own lives. 

Today Someone I Love Passed Away provides a Catholic understanding of death and salvation, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, and the Last Viaticum. There is also a reference section that includes Biblical support of judgment and purgatory, and also describes customs observed by other religions. At the end of the book, there is a special section for a child and / or other family members to create a lasting memorial for their loved one.

TESTIMONIALS

Tony Staley at The Compass, “Book helps explain death to children.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dianne Ahern grew up on a farm in Illinois, has traveled extensively for business and pleasure, and now resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Medical Technology from Marian College (University), and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Indiana University.  After rewarding careers in laboratory medicine, hospital administration, and healthcare consulting, Dianne found a new love: researching and writing about the events that shape our lives.

It was after her first Vatican visit in 1999, when Dianne looked into the eyes of Pope (Saint) John Paul II, held his hand, and kissed his ring, that she felt called to write books for Catholic children and their families.  Already a successful businesswoman, Dianne formed her own publishing company, Aunt Dee’s Attic, to support her new calling.

Beginning with the sacrament of baptism, Dianne outlined a series of books on the sacraments designed to prepare families for these most important events.  Her books’ formats merge storybook, reference book, and memory book elements into beautiful keepsake books. The sacrament books feature the imprimatur of the Catholic Church to assure families that the contents are true Church teachings.

In addition to her books on the sacraments, Dianne has developed a series of adventure/mystery books for young readers subtitled Adventures with Sister Philomena, Special Agent to the Pope.  The Adventure books place fictional characters in real settings to teach about the Church, saints, and holy places.  Her books have won accolades from retailers, readers, clergy, teachers, grandparents, and moms and dads.

THE DIANNE AHERN COLLECTION