Florentina (Tina) Leal was called home to be with our Lord on February 8, 2020 at the age of 78. Tina was born and raised in Houston, Texas she graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in Houston in 1961. Upon graduation she entered the United States Marine Corps. After Boot Camp she was stationed at Camp Pendleton, where she met the love of her life Rafael Leal. They married and began a family. After her service with the USMC she continued her education and received her AA degree at AWC in 1975, after moving to Yuma, AZ. With a desire of furthering her education she attended the Northern Arizona University receiving a Bachelor's and Masters in early childhood development. Tina continued her education and was a semester short of receiving her Doctorate in early child development.

Tina started her career at child development center on MCAS Yuma where she became the director. Tina Continued her career at AWC at the child learning lab where she was director of the center from 1980-2004. While at AWC she was an associated faculty member from 2001-2004.

Tina touched so many lives during her career there. Tina opened the Montessori School here in Yuma. She was active with the State of Arizona as well as Yuma County. With the state she was involved with the Arizona State School for the deaf and blind, the Arizona State Association for the Education of Young Children which she served as the secretary and President. In Yuma County she was involved with the Week of the Young Child, The Reading Council and a member of Toast Masters.

Tina is survived by her husband of 58 years Rafael Leal, Daughters: Cindy (Jeff) Cedar, Belinda (Mike) Decker, Regina (Ernesto) Vieyra, Melissa Simpson Son's: Michael (Julie) Leal, Mark (Lucy) Leal. 25 Grandchildren, 35 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great Great Grandchildren.

Tina is preceded in death by her parents Paul Ramirez and Guadalupe Sepulveda, Hector Sepulveda, and Isabell Ramirez her sister's Carmen Anduiza and Liz Torres, and Son In-Law Andrew Simpson.