Neva Field

Neva was born in our nation's capital, Washington, D.C., of Yugoslav heritage. Her father was an engineer and pilot who had flown on missions over Europe for the Yugoslav, British, and US air forces during World War II. He earned his US citizenship for his service through a special act of the US Congress. Her mother was also a naturalized citizen and the family embraced their new nationality with zeal. Neva attributed much of what made up her character to the inherited characteristics of her father. In her words, she described him as ""a warm, extremely generous and well-rounded person"". What better a description of Neva herself! During her father's continued service as a US Air Force officer, Neva spent many of her formative years during Dad's assignments in Berlin and Munich. She was fluent in German and spoke Slovenian (the native language of her mother) and later studied French and Russian. But, at the same time, she spent happy years as a typical American teenager at Munich American High School. With this background, she had a truly multicultural affinity for both European lifestyle AND the US military. Following high school, she followed the call of several school friends and attended CU in Boulder, where she met Dick. That relationship became the marriage that was to be 48 years of soul-mate togetherness - notwithstanding an intervening tour in Vietnam and a geographical bachelorhood for Dick's work in D.C. She became a community college coordinator of continuing education and ultimately finished her degree, and English as a second language certificate, while a 50-something return student. True to her cultural identity and her own self, Neva's highest priority in life was the happiness of her family. Her children, Rich, Yana, and Marlena - and the lives they made with their chosen soul-mates – and certainly the grandchildren they brought to her lap – were joys that buoyed her vibrant life. Her wide circle of friends would be the first to testify to her love and generosity which flowed to her family and those around her. A memorial gathering for Neva will take place at Village Green Park, South Chambers Circle and East Arkansas Drive (Southeast corner), Aurora, CO at 6:00 PM, Saturday, August 16. Reception to follow. Those interested are encouraged to make a donation to the Ronald McDonald House in Aurora, in lieu of flowers. Please share your memories of Neva by selecting the guestbook link below.