María Isabel "Chabelita" Leyta

María Isabel "Chabelita" Leyta was born on August 15, 1924. Chabelita grew up in Rancho Aguilar, Nuevo León, México with her parents and seven siblings.

At Rancho Puerto de Aguilar, Nuevo León, she met the hard-working Juan Jesús Leyta Solís, the man who would become her husband. Together they raised and instilled their values in their children, Ismael, Eutemia, Cresencia, Francisco, and Graciela. Their home in Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, México was a lively one.

For the next twenty-five years, she provided for her family as a small ranch owner. Ever loving and motherly, she went on to raise her two grandchildren, Francisco Leyta Jr. and José Leyta.

Regrettably, her husband passed away in 1979. It was then that she decided to migrate with her family to Harlingen, Texas.

Chabelita cared for her two grandsons (her sons really) on her own, a task that proved difficult but one for which she was never ill-prepared. She led them by example and, when they grew old enough to begin learning life’s lessons, she took them to the state of Ohio and Arizona to work in the fields as migrant workers, both out of necessity and to teach them that one should work for what they need/want, for nothing in life is free. Her two sons eventually became men in their own right. They valued the lessons she taught them, evident in the way they carried them in their hearts, and proudly went on to share these lessons with their own children.

Chabelita, like any loving great-grandmother/grandmother, made sure her family was always well fed. She loved nothing more than to cook for all her children and have them enjoy a meal together.

As she grew older and others took on the responsibility of cooking, it was not uncommon for her to sneak a taste of someone’s pot of food and add more seasoning or ingredients to her liking. Grandma knew best, after all.

Knitting and music were two of her favorite pastimes—music especially. Her dance moves were unrivaled!

But what she most enjoyed was spending time with her family. She loved to sit back with pride in her eyes and watch her children grow and go on to start families of their own.

Long-lived and fulfilled, Chabelita (known as “Super Grandma” by one of her youngest great-great grandchildren) went on to know the joy of watching her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren frolic excitedly—not unlike her own children once upon a time.

One to extend blessings to all, she thought of every single member of her family, be they near or far.

Life was a gift she never took for granted.

We will miss your stories, your smile, and accompanying laughter. We love you, Chabelita.

We will carry you with us--always.