Mary S. Leyba
February 10, 1929 - May 31, 2026
Mary S. Leyba, 97 of Milan, NM, passed away on May 31, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Mary was born on February 10, 1929 in Peñasco, NM to Levi and Carlota Gonzales. Mary patiently waited for her Heavenly Father to call her home to join her husband, Mike Joe Leyba. Now together in death, they can love and serve the Lord as they did together in life.
Mike and Mary were married on September 9, 1950. They lived in Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. In 1958 they settled in Grants, NM, and raised their family. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her endless hours of prayers were for her family, their safety and happiness.
Mary attended Texas Tech College in Lubbock, Texas, for training in the school system Head Start Program. Mary attended the NMSU Grants Branch for business classes. She also completed school through correspondence to become a Dietician while simultaneously working at Cibola General Hospital from 1980 through 1994. After retiring, Mary had the pleasure to fulfill her dream to travel to Yugoslavia to visit Medjugorie. She enjoyed traveling to different places. Mary was a devoted member of Saint Teresa Avila Catholic Church. She belonged to the Cursillo Movement to the Prayer Group and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for 25 years.
Mary is survived by her son Joe Leyba Jr. (Marcia) from Grants, NM, Levi Leyba (Corrine) from Silver City, NM, daughters; Helen Martin (Charlie) from Bloomfield, NM, Janie Williamson (Mark- deceased 04/29/26) from Moab, UT. Her loving grandchildren; Melissa Coats from Santa Fe, NM, Levi Leyba Jr. from Albuquerque, NM, Nick Williamson, Nicole Stocks, and Alex Williamson all from Moab, UT, Joseph Leyba from Seattle, WA.
Mary is preceeded in death by her husband, Mike Joe Leyba, son in-law Mark Williamson, her parents, Levi and Carlota Gonzales, her siblings, Victorano, Alfonso, Richard, and Eloy Gonzales; Placida Maestas, Ramon Gonzales, Martha Mares, Tillie Roybal, Della Sanchez, Elias Gonzales and Ted Romero. Along with many nephews and nieces that she loved.
On Thursday June 11, 2026 at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church a visitation will be open to the public at 10:00 AM, A Rosary will then be recited at 10:30 AM, A Mass will then be celebrated at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Grants Memorial Park. Family will then receive family and friends for a reception at the Grants Knights of Columbus Hall.
Pallbearers: Melissa Coats, Levi Leyba Jr., Nick Williamson, Nicole Stocks, Dylan Coats and Chris Madrid Jr.
Honorary Pallbearers: Alex Williamson, Felix and Marvella Gonzales, Michael and Elaine Ulabarri, Donald and Diana Lovato, Joseph Leyba, Fred and Margaret Chavez.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.copememorial.com Cope Memorial Chapel of Gallup is entrusted with arrangements.