Bernabe Juan Leyba

Bernabe “Bernie” Leyba, 84, of Santa Fe, NM went to be with the Lord while in the arms of his loving wife, children, and grandchildren on Thursday, April 22, 2021 due to a chronic medical condition.Bernie was born on July 1, 1936 to Tranquelino and Guadalupe Leyba in Ribera, NM. He attended St. Francis Catholic school and then helped his parents on the ranch. He worked for the State of New Mexico’s Land office where he met his best friend and future bride. He later went to work for the National Education Association (NEA) as a printer.On April 12, 1958, in Tome, NM, he entered into the bond of holy matrimony to Mary Louisa Trujillo of Belen, NM and they were soon blessed with four children, Ramona, Frank, Margaret and Rebecca. Bernie dedicated his life to our Lord, his wife, children, and extended family.  He loved the outdoors, taking his RV on the road, and picking wild flowers for Mary. Bernie is best known in Santa Fe for perfecting roasting green chile and ran Leyba’s Chile Roasting business out of his home for 41 years. The neighborhood will never forget the aroma of green chile being roasted and the sight of red chile ristras during the fall season. Bernie was preceded in death by his father Tranquelino Leyba, mother, Guadalupe Leyba, daughter, Ramona Gallegos, and sisters Maida Chavez and Sarah Hurtado. 

He was survived by his wife, Mary Leyba, son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Monica Leyba, daughter and son-in-law, Marge and Jimmy Sanchez, daughter and partner, Becky Benavidez and Richard Carrejo, son-in-law, Anthony Gallegos, grandchildren, Ricky and Samantha Leyba, Racquel and Isaac Trujillo, Johnathan Leyba, Reanna Benavidez, Tearance Pacheco, Cameron and Brett Gallegos, Christopher and Daryl Sanchez and great grandchildren, Dezmond Pacheco, Angelina Leyba, Krystalina Leyba, Riley, Natalie and Abigail Leyba, Damian and Amor Sanchez, and Melisendro Rael, brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Condrada Leyba, sister, Josie Chavez and many loving nieces and nephews that meant so much to him.

Viewing and Rosary will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Rivera Kiva Chapel of Light located 417 E Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM.

A Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, May 05, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Santa Maria de La Paz followed by Mass at 11:30 a.m.

To watch the virtual service go to smdlp.org click picture with Fr’s hands over chalice on right.

John 11:25,26

Jesus said, “I am the resurrectionand the life; he who believes in me,though he die, yet shall he live,and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.”