JoAnn Alcynda Leal 90, passed away the morning of January 13 th at Fresno Community Hospital in Fresno CA

JoAnn Leal was born in Davenport Iowa on February 18th 1931 She was born to Dorothy and Elbert Harreld . She grew up in Iowa but when she was about to start High School she moved out to Fresno CA to live with her Grandparents Mode and William Norple . She Graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School and soon after that met and Married Alfred Leal . They got Married in 1951

Her mother and stepdad tired of the cold Iowa Winters also moved to Fresno CA about this same time. Alfred was a High School Teacher and Coach , JoAnn enjoyed working Part Time at Sears and watching her Husband coach Track and Field and Football
Once , I asked my dad what was it that attracted him to mom , He said it was her eyes , those Beautiful Blue Eyes !

In 1952 she had her first child , Michael Allen Leal. Mike was a bit of a Fussy Baby so her Sister in Law, Mary Yost had already had two children and also was a Nurse , helped her out and taught her how to take care of a Fussy Baby which formed a bond and Respect that JoAnn always talked about. She always told us how good Mary Yost was to her and Al.

Seven years later in 1959 JoAnn and Alfred had their second child, this time it was girl Debra Ann Leal and two years later in 1961 they had third child another boy Mark John Leal.

It was about this time JoAnn became a Security Officer at Sears ,she actually she was one of the First Women Security Officers in California . JoAnn truly enjoyed her job at Sears , but after Thirty Two Years she decided it was time to Retire.

After JoAnn Retired her and Al did some traveling , They were able to travel all over the world, Their good friend Don Morgan and his wife Glenda , were teaching over in Germany so JoAnn and Al went over there and spent some time with them , Jo Ann had played match maker and fixed Don and his wife Glenda up ! They went to the Black Forest and Traveled to the Swiss Alpes. Jo Ann said this was some of the most Beautiful Country she had ever seen ! Their travels took them to Portugal and Spain and I think they went to Hawaii about four or five times, JoAnn loved Hawaii she said Hawaii has the most Beautiful Water she had ever seen.

It was around this time that JoAnn became a Grandparent for the first time , Debbie and her Husband Mark had a baby girl in 1981 Cassi Lynn Brangham then two years later Debbie and Mark had another baby girl Lacey Renae Brangham Shortly after that their son Mark and his partner Sue had a baby boy Marcus John Wilson . Then Mark and Debbie had another girl Sydney Michelle Brangham

It was around this time Mike and his wife Kim moved to Arizona. They had a baby girl, Erin Victoria Leal.

JoAnn and Al decided to do most of their traveling back in the States, hauling their Fifth Wheel over to the Coast to Enjoy the Portuguese Festal , Spending time with extended family members and many friends !
They even took their fifth wheel all the way to Michigan to spend time with JoAnn's brother Bill and his wife Sally and their families.
They had many adventures with the Fresno Host Lyons Club , But what they enjoyed the most about the Fresno Lyons was with their good friends Richard and Mercy Bencomo they would collect old eye glasses and take them to Mexico where they would be made into new glasses for the children there.

JoAnn was a Wonderful Grandmother ( Nana) and her greatest joy was having sleep overs and going to all of their sporting events and cheering them on, she truly was their biggest fan !
Everyone knew her all the kids on the teams the other parents and coaches.

As a matter of fact everyone that knew JoAnn Loved her, she was kind , funny and could talk a good gabb, but had a good ear to listen to you if you needed her to.
She was always ready to help you out if you were in trouble or just needed a helping hand , and she never ever knew a stranger.

She will be dearly Missed by her Family , her Son- Doctor Mike Leal his Wife Kim Leal and their Daughter Erin Leal , Daughter- Debbie Brangham her Husband Mark ,- Granddaughter- Cassi Maxey and her Husband Steven Maxey, - Great-granddaughters Etta Maxey and Nora Maxey, Granddaughter Lacey Sagmaquen and her Husband Casey Sagmaquen, - Granddaughter Sydney Mulroy and her Husband Jack Mulroy, - Great-grandson - James Mulroy and his sister -Great-granddaughter Cora Mulroy, - Grandson Doctor Marcus John Wilson and his Wife Whitney Lynn Wilson , - Great-granddaughter Leigha Grace Wilson ,-Great-grandson Gavin John Wilson ,- Great-granddaughters Lexi Faith Wilson and Amelia Lynn Wilson .

JoAnn was Preceded in Death by her Parents William Webb and Dorothy Webb, her Husband of Sixty Three Years Alfred Lawrence Leal and Son Mark John Leal , Brothers William Webb , Jim Webb , Sister Donna White , Sister in Laws Mary Yost, Emily Leal , Ann Leal Brother in Laws Jean White, John, Jack ,Louey and Joe Leal She is Survived by her Son Doctor Mike Leal his wife Kim Leal of Tucson Arizona , Daughter Debbie Brangham her Husband Mark Brangham of Clovis California. Sister in Law Sally Webb of Newberry Michigan. Nieces Linda , Cheryl , Patty , Rosemarie , Diana, Cathy and Nephews Richard, Kevin , Billy , Bobby and Michael.

Granddaughters Cassi (Steven) Maxey of Fresno CA , Lacey(Casey)Sagmaquen of Fresno CA, Sydney(Jack) of Clovis CA. Grandson Doctor Marcus(Whittney) of Mississippi. And Eight Great-grandchildren.

Special Thanks to Fresno Nursing Center : For your Wonderful care for almost three years. Lance and Tami Brangham for all the Help and Guidance through out the years. To Mark Brangham for Opening up our home. To Cassi, Lacey and Sydney ,Steven, Jack and Casey all the Love, Help and Prayers over the years. To Mercy Bencomo Thank You for a Life Time of Love, Caring and Friendship !

And to Jim Copner at Yost and Webb , Thank You So Much for all your Help and Guidance !

Momma - We going to Miss You So Much , Thank You For A Lifetime of Love Hugs ,Laughs ,Crying and Guidance , Thank You for Sometimes just Listening , Thank You for being Such a Wonderful Grandmother (Nana) and G Nana.

But Most of All Thank You for Being Our Mother ! We Love You !