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LEGER -- Mela Leger. On December 31, 2006, Mela (Manuela) Leger passed away, climbing a staircase to heaven that she had built step by step, with a lifetime of unselfish and caring deeds done for people who came into her life, some old friends and family and others simply fortunate to be touched by her unconditional love. Mela was born on July 3, 1928 in Villanueva, NM, to Abelina (Romero) and Isidoro Villanueva Lucero. As was the tradition in old New Mexico, she was also partially raised by her grandparents, Teresa and Seferino Romero in Colonias, NM, where at the age of four she learned to read the Spanish language newspapers to her blind grandfather. After graduating from Loretto College in Denver, she married Ray Leger. She raised her seven children in Las Vegas, NM, while also getting her Masters Degree from Highlands University, and becoming one of New Mexico's pioneers in bilingual education. She was one of a handful of educators nationwide to pilot test and participate in the national debate and development of curriculum for bilingual children. She started and ran a fully bilingual, multi-cultural elementary school, which was visited by policy makers and educators from Washington D.C., and every state with a sizable bilingual population. Her children remember the many musicians and storytellers that came to dine, play music, and enjoy the warmth of a vibrant home after visiting Mela's school across the street. Mela moved to Albuquerque to both care for her own mother who was stricken with cancer, and to continue her teaching work at the University of New Mexico. She retired from UNM, but then worked in publishing, then back at UNM, and then back at publishing part time until 2003 when, at 76, she finally decided that she had worked her last New Mexico Bilingual Educator's Conference. She was a wonderful grandmother, taking pride in cultivating a love of reading and culture in all 14 grandchildren. Mela loved to travel and delighted in the wonder and beauty of things big and small. She was a very proud mother and grandmother, and all had to listen to her boast of the accomplishments, big and small, of her extended family. The importance of a vibrant cultural life in her community was always an important part of her own life, and she spent the last two years as a docent at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. She was a lector at the Newman Center, on the board of the Rainbow House, and a member of the Hispanic Women's Council. She lost her two eldest sons, Howard and Howard; but is survived by five of her children and their families, Steve and wife Joyce, Nicolas and wife Corine, Martin and Trish Maestas, Teresa Leger de Fernandez and husband Luis Fernandez, and Annette and husband Steve Katona; 14 grandchildren Shana Anderson, Daniel and Michel Patron, Munice Sedillo, Carlos and Felisha Leger, Alicia and Marisa Leger, Tristan and Quintin Leger, Stephen Ray Leger, Alisandro, Abelino and Dario Fernandez-Leger; and five great-grandchildren, Kayla and Jenna Anderson, Feliciano and Anastacio Sedillo, and Justine. She also leaves behind her brother Justo and wife Chana Lucero; and her sister Marcella Torres; and numerous cousins, nieces. nephews, "adopted" sons and daughters, and loving friends who gave generously of their prayers, care, delicious food and love in her final days. The Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11:00 a.m., both at the Newman Center in Albuquerque.
        Published on: Tue January 02, 2007