WATERBURY- Anna Maria Lopez age 88 of Waterbury, passed away peacefully on Saturday February 17, 2018 at the Vitas Innovative Care Unit of Saint Mary’s Hospital surrounded by the love and comfort of her family, after an extended illness. She was the widow of Deacon Alejandro Lopez Anna was born September 11, 1929 in Guanica, Puerto Rico, the daughter of the late Antonio and Inocencia (Padilla) Tirado. She was raised and educated in Puerto Rico before moving to New York and then settling in Waterbury, Connecticut where she met the love of her life, Alejandro. Anna worked as a Teacher’s Aide for the City of Waterbury at Maloney Elementary School before her retirement. Anna was devoted to her family and to God. She was instrumental in establishing the Catholic Hispanic Community in the Waterbury area and was also a leader in the Cursillo movement. She was a long time and active parishioner of Saint Cecilia’s Church. She enjoyed traveling especially taking trips to Florida and Puerto Rico and also enjoyed taking cruises all across the world. Anna will be greatly missed and remembered by all who were blessed to know and love her. Among her survivors are her sons; Deacon Alex Lopez Jr. and his wife, Judy of Oakville, CT Robert Lopez and his wife, Gloria of Bristol, Hector Lopez and his wife, Maria, of New Britain. She also leaves her brothers, Samuel Tirado and Manuel Tirado and their families of Waterbury, CT, her eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren as well as several nieces nephews and other extended family members. The Lopez family would like to thank and acknowledge all of the staff at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Vitas Innovative Care Unit. The family would also like to thank her care givers Anallisa, Cindy, Gladys, Monica, Sabina, and Selena for the exceptional care and support they provided to Anna and her family throughout her illness. Funeral Services for Mrs. Lopez will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2018 when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Todos los Santos, All Saints/St Anne’s Church, South Main St. Waterbury at 10:00 a.m. Those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury, Relatives and friends may visit with Anna’s family on Wednesday evening from 5:00 –7:00 p.m. at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home 1987 East Main St @ Southmayd Rd. Waterbury CT. 06705. In lieu of flowers, to honor Anna’s memory donations may be made to Vitas Hospice 199 Park Rd Extension, Ste.102 Middlebury, CT 06762. To extend online expressions of sympathy to the family or for additional information, kindly visit the funeral home website at www.eastsidememorial.com.