Bridget Ida De Souza (née D’Souza), beloved and devoted wife and mother, died peacefully on Wednesday February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario at the age of 83. Bridget Ida is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dr. Aloysius Phillip De Souza, and daughter, Dr. Claire Michelle De Souza. Bridget Ida was born on October 8, 1937 in Zanzibar, East Africa to Ruth (née De Souza) and Feliciano D’Souza. She was sister to Altina Lobo (née D’Souza) and Father Stanley D'Souza (recently deceased). She studied at St. Joseph’s Convent School in Zanzibar. She enjoyed spending time with friends in Zanzibar and in Dar-es-Salam, Tanzania. She traveled to the United Kingdom where she trained and worked as a nurse and a midwife in London and in Oxford. She fondly recalled travelling by bicycle in Oxford to support mothers-to-be in the community. She rose to the ranks of nursing administration in London, England. On September 12, 1970, she married fellow Zanzibari Dr. Aloysius De Souza whom she had known since childhood. He studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland and commenced his family practice in England.
The couple moved to Canada in 1976 and soon after, established a successful medical practice in Scarborough from 1977 until 2014 where Bridget Ida provided support to countless families. She was proud to see her daughter embrace the medical field and continue the family commitment to serving the community. Bridget Ida took great pride in her Goan ancestry from Parra, Goa and from Zanzibar, East Africa. Perhaps because she was born on an island, or due to wonderful memories spent sailing on a ship with her dad, a naval engineer, she loved to be close to the water, and especially enjoyed cruises with her family. She was an active and dedicated member of St. Joseph’s Parish, Highland Creek, Scarborough and found great comfort in her Catholic faith. She will be remembered as caring and compassionate, and dedicated to helping others. She will be greatly missed.
A Funeral Mass will be held to honour both Bridget Ida De Souza and Dr. Aloysius Phillip on Saturday, October 23rd at 11am at St. Joseph's Parish located at 200 Morrish Road, Scarborough, ON M1C 1E8 followed by an interment at Christ The King cemetery. The service will also be accessible through livestream at www.giffenmackscarborough.com. Reception will be held at Adam's Park Picnic Area A(to right of parking lot, entering via Lawson Rd) following the interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to True North Aid in memory of Bridget Ida De Souza at https://truenorthaid.ca/donate/.
To attend in person, please RSVP by contacting Giffen-Mack Funeral Home at 416 281-6800 before Friday, October 22nd to place your name.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.giffenmackscarborough.com for the De Souza family.
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