EDWARD LEYBA, 89, a resident of Peñasco, passed away at his home on Thursday, January 5, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Flavio and Sofia Leyba; his sister, Erlinda and brother Simon. Edward was born in Peñasco, NM in August 1927. Edward served as a Corporal in the US Army from 1950 to 1955. He attended college at St. Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, Loyola of Chicago, Loyola of New Orleans, and New Mexico Highlands University. In June 1958, he married his wife, Lucille Maestas in Peñasco, NM. Mr. Leyba served his community as an educator in the Peñasco school district for 30 years.
He had a lifelong love of fly fishing the Rio Santa Barbara and the Rio Pueblo. He was a longtime member of the Holy Name Society at San Antonio De Padua Parish, American Legion Post 96, and the Peñasco Volunteer Fire Department.
Edward is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Lucille Leyba; his children, Loretta Leyba, Patrick Leyba and wife Franchesca, Barbara Palmer and husband David, Rev. John Paul Leyba and Leonard Leyba; grandchildren, Zachary Leyba, Ethan Palmer, Joshua Palmer, Anika Leyba, and Eleeza Palmer, great-grand daughter, Aria Perea; brother, Orlando Leyba and sisters, Cordelia Quinonez, Sr. Orlanda Leyba O.P., Pauline Quintana, Helen Herrera, Theresa Leyba, Carmen Montano, Henrietta Leyba, & Cathy Lopez, and many beloved nephews & nieces. Public visitation will begin on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church in Peñasco, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. also at the San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church. Burial will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 9:45 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests memorial donations to either: Food for the Poor, PO Box 979004, Coconut Creek, FL 33097-9004, or Catholic Relief Services, ATTN: Donor Services, PO Box 17145, Baltimore MD 21298-8451, or San Antonio Parish St. Vincent de Paul, Peñasco. The family of Edward Leyba has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com