Thelma Cornelia (Pedroza) Leal, 88, of East Hartford, CT passed from our lives on Saturday, September 8th, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted wife of 45 years to the late Joseph Leal. Born on May 10th, 1924, in New Bedford, MA she was the child of the late Virginia and Albert Pedroza and was raised by her grandmother Maria Gloria Silva. She was also predeceased by her brother Albert Pedroza and her sister Lucile King. She is survived by all her children: Douglas and Jeanie Leal, Deborah and Leon Labowski, Dennis and Maureen Leal, Donald and Joan Leal, Dee and Emmett Pizzoferrato, Dorinne and Peter Zaccardelli, Marianne and Mikell Kiersey, Christina and Scott Thompson, Di and Cliff LaBrec, and Caryn-Joy and Steve Toffolon. She was the beloved grandmother of 25 grandchildren: Bruce Riley II, Justin and Jen Pizzoferrato, Anthony Pizzoferrato; Joseph Labowski and fiancée Dr. Nhung Tran, Jennifer and Nick Roy, Jeffrey and Nicole Labowski, Jessica Labowski; Angela Zaccardelli, Anthony and Jennifer Zaccardelli; Marissa and Ryan Gallo, David Leal, Nicole and James McLarney; Toni-Marie and Clifton LaBrec; Mikell II, Marcus, Matthew and Morgan Kiersey; Rob and Allie Toffolon; Andrew Thompson; Tony and Denise Muschello; Jennifer and Allison Breaux. She was also a caring great-grandmother to 12 great-grandchildren; Arianna, Taylor and Alivia, Isabella, Alexander, Joseph Daniel, Joseph, Gray, Christian, Nicolas, and twin babies-to-be Zaccardelli. Thelma also leaves behind many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. At the proud age of 76 she graduated from Manchester Community College. The family wishes to thank St. Francis Hospital's nurturing staff of the 5th floor, as well as her caring friends and neighbors. Family and friends may call at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center St. Manchester on Thursday (September 13th) from 4-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 9 am at Our Lady of Peace Church 370 May Road East Hartford. Burial in Bourne National Cemetery, Bourne, MA will be held on Friday at 3 pm. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.