Juana Mateo, better known by her loved ones and friends as Nereida Mateo, passed away on February 12, 2021, at Banner Desert Hospital, at the age of 77, due to COVID-19 complications. She was a devout Catholic, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was born in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico and married her husband Edwin Mateo (Joe) of almost 60 years in Chicago, IL on a snowy April day. They lived in different places until they finally moved to Gilbert, AZ to their “forever home” between 1996-1997. Nereida was well known by many for her Puerto Rican cuisine. Every year around the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, many would ask for her to cook a ‘pernil’ with ‘arroz con gandules’, ‘pasteles’ and ‘morcilla’, among other Puerto Rican delicatessen. She LOVED to cook, especially when it was for family and friends. She would always memorize everyone’s favorite meal and she would cook it for your birthday or a special day. There was never an empty table at her house and there was always plenty of food for the unexpected visitor. She is survived by her husband Edwin (Joe) Mateo; her sisters Lidia, Ana H., Noelia, Lidia R., Maria M. Maria S.; her brothers Carlos, Domingo, Wilfredo, Gilberto, Jose L., William, David; her sons Edwin, Peter, Wil, Ovi; her daughter Odalys; her grandchildren Natalie, Romary, Victoria, Ovidio Jr, Gia, Enzo, Krystal; and her great grandchildren Makaly, Alexi, Keenan, Olivia and Breena. Please consult the mortuary on visitation and service restrictions due to current CDC guidelines.