Rose Bernadette Leyba

Rose Bernadette Leyba
Rose Leyba, born Roserita Bernadette Davis, passed peacefully at her Albuquerque home on
April 17, 2024, at the age of 89 years. She was quick with a joke and happy to tell you about
any new crafts she had taken on or travel plans she had scheduled. She was the fourth of 12
children born to Anselm G. Davis, Sr. of Lukachukai, AZ on the Navajo reservation and Alieen
Ben of Pearl River, MS of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws.
In the early 1960s, she worked at the Albuquerque Indian School in the Registrar’s office when
she met Valentino Leyba who worked in the Boy’s Dorm Building. They married in 1963 and had
four sons. She was a loved wife, mother, grandmother and auntie to many nieces and nephews
whom she deeply cared about, never leaving a visit without making sure they had everything
they needed. Throughout her retirement, she enjoyed traveling and working seasonal jobs at the
auto auction and other events such as the racetrack, a vertical merchandising company, and
Walmart.
Rose was also a dedicated member of the Tekakwitha Conference, a voice and presence of
Indigenous Catholics, and she always looked forward to the new places she would visit while
attending their conferences. She was proud of her native heritage and enjoyed spending time at
her second home in San Felipe, NM, watching traditional tribal dances.
Rose is survived by her husband of 60 years, Valentino Leyba, Sr.; her daughter, Carla Leyba-
Chavez husband Louie P. Chavez and sons, Michael Leyba, Dwayne Leyba and Valentino
Leyba, Jr.; as well as her siblings Dr. Anselm Davis Jr., William P. Davis, Patricia A. Davis,
Robert M. Davis and
Mae Begay. Rose had ten granddaughters: Amber, Dionne (husband Jason Aguilar), Michelle,
Nicole, Michaela, Jeannine, Melissa, Cassandra, Dorianna and Sky Blue. 11 great
grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by siblings, Pearl Nelson, Eleanor Smith, Gloria Davis, Loretta
Chavez, Ralph Davis, AK Davis, son Patrick T. Leyba and granddaughter Melissa R. Leyba.
Services honoring Rose’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2024, at Queen of
Heaven Church, 5311 Phoenix Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Reception to follow in the
Parish Hall from noon to 2 p.m.