Sister Bernadita Abeyta, OP

COURTESY ANNOUNCEMENT

Sister Bernadita Abeyta, OP - (91 yrs) born October 19, 1934, gained her angelic wings today, June 21, 2025 reuniting with her loved ones in Heaven. 

Her remarkable life was characterized by unrelenting commitment to honoring our Lord Jesus Christ through her service as a Dominican Nun ('Sisters of Peace') for over five decades. Tia "Tana" holds a special significance in our family. The photo of Aunt Tana captures a moment of her visiting her mother in Barranco (Abiquiu) during her early years as a nun. She was born and raised in Barranco, New Mexico. She was drawn to a religious life and commitment early in life. Her religious life took her to various places, including Columbus, Ohio "The Mother House", and New Haven, Connecticut, before returning to New Mexico, where she taught at Abiquiu Elementary until 1975. She spent 25-years teaching Catholic religion in San Juan, Puerto Rico, followed, after which she returned to New Mexico to oversee the religious education program at Sacred Heart Church in Espanola for 10 years until celebrating her 50th Jubilee. Sr. Bernadita's final years were spent in retirement at the Dominican Mother House in Columbus, Ohio. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose Leon and Bernadita Abeyta, siblings: Carlos (Concha), Cleo (Dan) Calistro, Margaret (Leo) Serna, Adelicia (Elfido) Lopez, Onofre (Greg) Salazar, 3 infant siblings, and Brother-in-law, Mike Trujillo. 

She is survived by her sister Josephine Trujillo, numerous nephews nieces, friends and former colleagues. 

Rest in Peace Tia! Thank you for so many cherished memories. I'll always be thankful that you invited us to the movie premiere of The Sound of Music at the Lensic Theater when we were adolescents. I loved the many evenings you spent with my mom and your sisters singing while you played your guitar.