Emelinda worked in N.Y.C public school 106 and then Alexander Elementary school in N.W. Tampa, Florida as a teaching assistant for approximately 35 years. She loved little children.
Emelinda loved Puerto Rico and everything Puerto Rican. She loved Guayama, the pueblo she grew up in, she loved her mother, all her aunts and uncles and cousins and always had a story to tell about their childhood antics. She loved the food and the music. She loved to dance to Salsa and listen to Marc Anthony CD’s. Even in her last days it was music that would bring her back to us even if just for a minute or two. Emelinda also had a love for the arts, musicals, plays, ballet, and museums, and anything artistic. She loved sports football, baseball, soccer and even tennis.
Emelinda was raised Catholic but later converted to a Protestant non-denominational Christian belief. She talked to God often and read her bible daily as long as she was able.
Emelinda loved her family, she is survived by her eldest daughter Vivian Padilla Chapman (Gary Chapman), her son Jose E. Pedreira (Jr), and her youngest daughter Alicia Mercedes Pedreira (Billie Free). Emelinda has three grandchildren, Daniel A. Chapman (Lauren Chapman), Sara C. Stewart (Joseph Stewart) and Julian J. Pedreira. Lastly, she has four great grandchildren, Nicolas Chapman, Luca Chapman, Weston Stewart and Joelle Stewart. Emelinda is also survived by many cousins, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in N.Y.C and Puerto Rico and various other places. Emelinda loved to travel and experience cultures and new things. She was loved, respected and she will be missed my many.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to Alzheimer’s Association in Emelinda Pedreira’s name.
There will be a brief ceremony with family and friends at the gravesite.
