Viola Leyba Wintersberger

Born in Santa Fe, July 8, 1933, the first daughter of Lee (Lito) Leyba and Imelda (Mela) Ortiz of Pena Blanca, New Mexico.

She lived a full life of dedicated hard work, as she used her talents of key punching, listening, translating, and interviewing as she worked for the state of New Mexico to train, place and create jobs for Veterans and others needing employment. She always went the extra mile to help those in need.

That dedication to help those in need, partnered with her bilingual abilities in Spanish, put her into a special detailed assignment to help the Mariel Cubans during the Cuban immigration crisis in 1980. For her instrumental work during this time, she received a Presidential citation from President Jimmy Carter.

She was also multi-talented with hobbies of painting, flower arrangements, canning, preserving and cooking. Her home was always beautifully decorated and full of good food.

She raised 5 daughters with great sacrifice and love:

Carolyn Hall (Eric); Patricia Aragon (Thomas); Donna Maria (Sam); Paulette Baca; and Dewan Jones (Thomas).

She is survived by her brother, Clyde Leyba(Lillian). She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Lee Leyba (Dolly); infant sister Rosalie; and sister Gloria Vicens (John), as well as two precious daughters, Paulette and Patricia June.

She will also be missed by 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.

Her life will be celebrated  at an 11:30 a.m. Mass at the Pena Blanca Catholic Church, Nuestra Señora De Guadalupe 816 NM-22, Pena Blanca, followed by a 12:00 Reception at the Community Center 778 NM-22 Pena Blanca