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Neva Cornelia Mastriana, 89, a resident of the Rio Rancho/Taylor Ranch area for the past six years, died peacefully during the early morning of February 22, 2006. She was born one of four children on January 9, 1917, in San Francisco, CA, to Thomas Talus and Neva Olivette Scott. In 1938 she married Jack Johannes. They spent many happy years together in San Francisco, Los Gatos and San Jose, CA, until Jack's death in 1977. In 1979 she married Joe Mastriana, and the two of them eventually moved to Paradise, CA. After Joe's death, she relocated to New Mexico in 2000 to be near her daughter and grandchildren. Neva was a beautiful, loving and caring person who had a wonderful life. She had a strong spirit and a great sense of humor. She loved listening to and playing music, dancing, sewing, reading, her family, the ocean, and peanut butter! As a young woman, Neva sold music and did the bookkeeping at her uncle's record/TV repair shop in Los Gatos, CA. She was a natural and accomplished seamstress most of her life. For a decade and a half she was a popular square dance caller and teacher. She traveled throughout California and surrounding states calling hoedowns for other dance clubs besides having three of her own clubs back home. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Dausses and husband, Richard of Rio Rancho; her sister, Jean Kelly of Paradise, CA; and her brother, Johnny Talus and wife, Rita of Riviera, AZ; grandchildren, Jackie Caballero of Santa Fe, Georgina Caballero of Las Vegas, NV, and Kristina Nelson and husband, Gordon of Las Cruces; and great-grandchild, Cassandra Perez of Santa Fe. The family appreciates and thanks the Mariah House staff and Lovelace and Zia Hospice staff for taking such loving care of Neva. Donations can be made in Neva's name to the American Heart Association, 6100 Pan American Freeway NE, Suite 345, Albuquerque, NM 87109 or Zia Hospice, 4141 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. The family held a private interment and memorial. Arrangements by Vista Verde Mortuary 892-9920
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