Maria Filomena Leal

Maria Filomena (Rosa) Leal, 85, a long-time resident of Pelham, NH, recently of D’Youville Senior Care in Lowell, died peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Sargento Jose P. Leal with whom she shared 58 years of marriage, until his passing in 2025.

Born in Faial, Açores, Portugal on December 10, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Luiza Amaral and Jose Eduardo Rosa. Filomena emigrated to the United States in 1978, where she worked several different jobs, with the last being an assembler for USCI Division of C.R. Bard, Inc., a manufacturer specialized in medical devices.

She was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church and a member of the Holy Ghost and Holy Trinity Societies.

A devoted matriarch who was the heart of her family, Filomena cherished the time spent with each one of them. She also loved her time spent in her flower garden, cooking and baking.

Filomena is survived and will be deeply missed by her two children, Dalila Sequeira and her husband, Steven of Merrimack, NH and Dario Leal and his wife, Amy of Nashua, NH; her three grandchildren, Mikayla, Benjamin and Gavin; her siblings, Manuel Rosa of Tewksbury, Maria Fatima Sousa of Lowell and Antonio Rosa and his wife, Olivia of Faial, Açores; her sister-in-law, Fatima Rosa of Faial, Açores; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the overwhelming love, kindness and support shown to them during her stay at D’Youville Senior Care. Known as a social butterfly, she enjoyed all the activities and being out and about in her Belvidere wing.

In addition to her husband Jose, she is predeceased by her brother, Jose Adriano Rosa, her sister-in-law, Lucia Rosa, her brother-in-law, Joaquim Sousa and her nephew, Manuel Eduino Rosa and his wife, Maria C.

Relatives and friends are invited to Maria’s Life Celebration on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 8:30 until 10:15 AM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately following at 11 AM in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Lowell. Burial to follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury.