Nevada "Neva" Kauvaka

Neva was called home to her Heavenly Father on May 24, 2015 after a long battle with Alport's disease.  She was born in Honolulu, HI April 6, 1943 to Winifred and Hugh Whitford.  She was the youngest of 10 children and was lovingly nicknamed "Baby".
Neva was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and chose to serve a mission at the age of 21.  She was called on May 21, 1964 to serve in the Navajo speaking Southwest Indian mission in Arizona.  She loved the people and the experiences she had while living and serving on the reservation.
Neva attended Kamehameha Schools, and received her Master's degree in education from BYU Hawaii.  She taught at Le Jardin Academy, Ahuimanu Elementary, Ben Parker Elementary, and Kamaile Elementary.
While attending school, she met and married Uelingatoni Kauvaka, whom she later divorced, and had 2 wonderful sons, Nathan Hugh Kalakumukahi "Kala" and Christian Kapono "Pono".  She loved her sons with all of her heart and looked forward to seeing Pono again in Heaven.
Neva was preceded in death by her son Pono, her mother and father, and 8 sibilings: James Scott, Charlotte Herbold, Alice Delima, Martha Dill, Hugh Whitford Jr., Barbara Bustamante, Jacqueline Heupel, and Carl Whitford.  She is survived by her son Kala (Ali) Kauvaka; Grandchildren Jansen, Elijah, Dominic, Anthony, Alex, and Malia; Sister Kay (Gary) Alexander, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws who loved her dearly.
A special thanks to the team at Lakeside Dialysis in Bountiful, and Envision Hospice with a very special thanks to Neva's regular nurses Tiersa and Whitney, who Neva loved.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2015 at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful.