Maria Carmela Taveau was born Maria Carmela Curvino on 31 July 1943, to Frank and Katherine Curvino. She had an older brother, Francis, who passed away shortly after birth. Maria grew up in Pennsylvania, raised with the help of her extended family, as her Mother and Father divorced when she was at an early age. She did not speak much about her child hood, but when asked, indicated that it was happy.

Maria graduated from Temple University with a Certificate in Nursing in 1963 and began her life long career as a Registered Nurse, and a life of service to others. She specialized as an Operating Room Nurse, working in every conceivable position up to and including the Head Nurse of a Same Day Surgery Center. Along the way she completed her Bachelors and Master of Science in Nursing. Upon retirement in 1999, She continued to help at the Center and volunteered at a free day clinic, helping the indigent, for years afterword's.

Maria married H. Sprague Taveau IV, on 5 June 1965. As Staff Sergeant Taveau was in the Army and made it a career, she lived all over the United Sates.   She gave birth to two Sons, H. Sprague Taveau V, and Jon W. Taveau. She was a devoted mother and wife who insured that her family had everything they needed, but most importantly, had love. The Taveau house was where every kid knew they could go hang out, get invited to an incredible dinner, and always feel welcome due to her sense of hospitality and her open heart. She welcomed two exchange students, Rudiger, and Steffi, both from Germany, into her house over the years, forming life long bonds and impacting both. Sadly, Maria and Sprague divorced in 1989, and she never remarried. Maria was most proud of her two boys and would tell anyone who would listen about their accomplishments.

While active in volunteer organizations such as the Association of Operating Room Nurses, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts while she raised her family, she truly became active in Volunteering after her retirement. Among the organizations in Tulsa that she volunteered at were; Meals on Wheels (where she served as a driver and coordinator), Linaus Teaching Garden (where she was a Master Gardner), the Tulsa Performing Arts Center (where she served as an Usher), the previously mentioned Day Clinic, Bethany Christian Church (where she served in every possible position over her more than 30 years as a member). In addition to serving in her local community, she served with Doctors without Borders providing medical care in Vietnam, Peru, and Ecuador.There was nothing she loved more than seeing her Grand, and Great Grand Children and helping them whenever possible. She regularly traveled to see all her kids. It is widely agreed that she was the most loving, and caring of persons. She touched everyone who met her is a positive way.

She was also an avid traveler, vacationing in Russia, Italy, Costa Rica, and Israel.

Maria departed this earth on Thursday 15 November 2018 suddenly and unexpectedly. While our hearts break for her loss, she now, certainly, walks with God.  A celebration of her life will be held at 5:00 PM, on Friday, November 30, 2018 at Bethany Christian Church, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Maria is survived by; her two Sons, Sprague and Jon, her Daughter-In-Law, Diane, her son's long time Fiancé, Melissa, her 7 Grand Sons, Chris, Dakota, Chase, Carson, Jack, Sam, and Will, her three Great Grand Children, Karley, Inara, and Quinton, and all the people whom she touched in life. Hers was a life well lived, and an example for us all to follow.