Maria Leyva Padilla passed from this life into eternal life with our Lord on Sunday April 5 ^th , 2020 in Yuma, AZ.  She was 68 years old. She was born to Francisco Leyva and Isabella Castro, in Holtville Ca on November 12th, 1951.   Maria grew up in San Luis Sonora Mexico in a home and had 21 siblings.

In the summer of 1973, Maria gave birth to her oldest son, Mike Padilla, followed by Beatrice Padilla in 1975, Ela Padilla 1981, Daniel Padilla in 1983, and Alba Iriondo (Culley) in 1993. Besides being a mother, Maria was a dedicated hard working agricultural worker around the Yuma County area.

Maria had a huge heart and a strong passion for Christ our Savior, she was deeply spiritual and held a strong Christian faith. Prior to being home bound, she was an active member at Monte Sinai Church in Somerton, AZ. Maria had many talents, she could knit just about anything requested from her! She spoiled all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with many beanies, scarfs and afghans. Maria was also a great cook! Every year she would fill the house with the great smell of tamales. She also would wake every morning to make a fresh batch of homemade tortillas for the family. Some of her other specialties were her chili rellenos and albondigas soup.

Maria is preceded in death by mother, Isabella Castro; father, Francisco Leyva; several brothers; several sisters; Son-in-Law Marcel Zomalt; grandson Andrew Lukas Culley.

Maria is survived by sister Isabella Castro, Mexico; sister Beatriz (Rogelio) Lopez, Somerton AZ; son Mike (Jeri) Padilla, their children Adam, Jessica, Levi, Erik and Randi Mae of Yuma, AZ; daughter Beatrice Padilla and her children Jenet, Jessica, Pircilla, Willie, and Marcella of Yuma, AZ; daughter Ela (Ashley Geary) of Colorado Springs, CO; Son Daniel (Viridiana) their children Emily and Daniel Kai of Yuma, AZ; daughter Alba Culley (Mathew) their children Noah and Lucas of Yuma, AZ; seven great grandchildren: Isaiah, Yoselyn, Gabriel, Guadalupe (Jr.), Nadia, Uriel, Josiah; and many nephews & nieces.

Graveside services will be officiated by Enriqueta Flores and held at Sunset Vista Funeral Home & Cemetery, 11357 E 40 ^th Street Yuma, AZ on Friday April 10 ^th , 2020 at 10 AM. Due to current pandemic restrictions, the family is planning a future Celebration of Life to take place in November of 2020.