Marie Roberta Toya was born into Jemez Pueblo in July, 1956. She is the daughter of Casimiro and Mary Ellen Toya. Like her siblings, she learned to make pottery by watching and working with her mother.

Marie primarily makes storytellers and nativities. In maybe half her storytellers the eyes are open but in most of her figures, the eyes are prayerfully closed. Her figures are created with Jemez-style clothing and are masterfully painted in Jemez designs.

She talks to her pieces as she makes them and she says "It makes me think what to give each child and what the Grandfather or Grandmother is telling them."

Among Marie's six sisters are Judy, Anita and Mary Ellen Toya. She signs her pieces: Marie R. Toya, Jemez.