Family and friends are honouring Suzanne with donations to the University of Toronto’s department of physical therapy – ensuring her legacy of kindness and compassion will continue to touch lives. The Suzanne Kelley-deSouza Physical Therapy Award will support a physical therapy trainee who has demonstrated exceptional clinical skills and patient care.
“She’s thrilled that her birthday is an opportunity to support somebody else,” says Suzanne’s son, Kelley deSouza. “We hope Suzanne’s happy and successful career in restoring function and helping others to live independently will motivate past, present and future physical therapists.”
Kelley explains that deciding to give back to U of T was an easy choice for the family, as both the deSouzas and Kelleys have long and proud ties to the University. All five of Suzanne’s children are U of T graduates, as well as Suzanne and her late husband Paul and, before them, both Suzanne’s and Paul’s fathers. (Paul’s Father graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, now Temerty Faculty of Medicine, 100 years ago in 1925. Suzanne’s daughter, Ellen Marie, graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy in 1979 and Suzanne’s granddaughter, Marisa, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in 2020.)