Tehachapi News

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A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Malachy Catholic Church by Father Joel Davadilla, on Wednesday, March 5 for Victoria ‘Vickie’ Leiva, 100-years-old, who passed away at her E Street home on Feb. 28.

Vickie, a native of the Tehachapi area, was born in Cummings Valley on Jan. 12, 1908, to parents Anselmo and Maria Antonia Campas, Native Americans of Yaqui, Yokut and Hispanic descent. She attended a local one-room school in Bear Valley with other children of the area. Her marriage to Theodoro ‘Doro” Leiva was blessed with two children; Charlotte Leiva (Villalobos) and Theodore ‘Ted’ Leiva.

Mrs. Leiva was a gifted and independent person who enjoyed using her talents in helping others, her family and keeping up with civic affairs. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed gardening and doing her own maintenance work around her home.

She was particularly interested in keeping alive the early history of her family. Her father, Anselmo Campas, when only 12-years-old, had fled, with his family from the San Joaquin Valley to the Tejon Rancheria in fear of German Hessian mercenaries who were hired by the U.S. to place the Indians on reservations. His father, upon refusing to go to the Tule Reservation had been punished by the German soldiers who cut off his fingers for disobeying. His son, Anselmo Campas became a skilled caregiver at the Rancheria, and was on call whenever the need arose for someone to care for the ill, and to deliver babies. Many of his descendants would follow with this calling and would become nurses and caregivers.

Vickie’s mother was a descendant of the Sais family, of Marin County, who were large landowners at one time. Antonia grew up being exposed to several languages; Spanish, Yokut, French/Basque, and English.

She is survived by a daughter, Charlotte Leiva Villalobos, and son, Ted Leiva, of Tehachapi.

Vickie's long life allowed her to span five generations with the most recent addition of four great-great-grandchildren, Joseph Henry Martin V, who was born one year ago, on Vickie’s 99th birthday, and Kristian Joshua Villalobos, Elise Mae and Austin Heib. Her family also welcomed grandchildren, Jocelyn Leiva Boneso, Janetta, Jason, and Jeffery Leiva and Brian and Matthew Villalobos and Lynn Villalobos Gannon. Great grandchildren include Sean Villalobos and Jessica Bidabe, Jenny, Kelly, Bryce, and Joshua Villalobos, Giovanni and Gabriella Boneso, Jaime, Jacob, McKenna, Camden, Cheyanne, Roxann, and James Leiva, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was her husband Theodoro ‘Doro’ Leiva, and an infant grandchild Karen Elizabeth Villalobos, and great-grandsons, Joshua Fall Villalobos and Joseph Jeffery Leiva.

A lifetime’s work is ended and well-earned rest is won. Victoria ‘Vickie” Leiva; a True Tehachapi Legend.

Wood Family Funeral Services handled the arrangements.