Lavelle Marie Souza

Lavelle Marie (Litel) Souza was a caring and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She left this world on March 18, 2025 at age 81. She was not only deeply devoted to her family, but also her community of Santa Clara and the special needs community.

She was born to Harry Raymond and Clara Josephine (Kennedy) Litel on September 14, 1943 in Portland, Oregon. After graduating from Rincon High School in Tucson, Arizona, she entered the Good Shepherd Convent in Los Angeles, California serving troubled and abandoned women in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Chicago, and Las Vegas. During her ten years with the Good Shepherd Order she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree and Masters Degree in Social Work.

After leaving the convent, Lavelle met Eddie Souza and they were married at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Santa Clara. They had one son, Jerome “Jerry” Souza.

Lavelle along with her husband Eddie were founding members Parents Helping Parents in the late 1970’s. Their passion for PHP stemmed from their love and devotion to their infant son, Jerry. Throughout the years they worked tirelessly to bring more attention, resources and special services to Santa Clara County to benefit families of children with special needs. Her husband Eddie Souza was active in politics and became very effective in bringing changes to benefit individuals with disabilities and their families both statewide and locally. Lavelle was busy providing both Jerry and Eddie what they needed to thrive 24/7-she was the “Wind Beneath their Wings”.

Lavelle was the best mother. Jerry lacked nothing and through Lavelle’s diligence he participated in swimming, horseback riding, he went to concerts, Special Olympics, programs of enrichment such as music, art, and multiple therapies to keep his body properly moving.

In the mid-1990’s, Lavelle and a group of Volunteers decided to put on a Children’s Christmas Concert and Bell Ringer event at Mission Santa Clara for the holidays. The whole family was invited, especially children with special needs, and everyone was so welcoming. It didn’t matter if your child made noise or ran up and down the aisles, or sang off pitch with the choir. Everyone was accepted. After the Children’s Concert, we would all go outside of the Mission doors and there would be two giant Santa Clara Fire Engines with Firemen handing out stuff animals to all the children. Lavelle and her volunteers got donations for all the stuffed animals for the children.

Lavelle created and organized a fund raising event for PHP the week before the Holiday Concert and Santa Clara Mission called Valley of Hearts. The purpose of Valley of Hearts was to raise money and awareness for PHP and to honor individuals in the community who had gone over and above in their commitment and service to our children and adults with special needs. The Valley of Hearts Dinner was very prestigious and the awards given to individuals in different Medical, Social and Community Agencies which were nominated by families and colleagues and which in turn called attention to what was working well for the special needs community.

Lavelle was always generous and caring in her volunteer work at PHP and in supporting families with individuals with special needs. Many people benefitted from her compassion and generosity of heart and she will be deeply missed.

Lavelle is predeceased by her husband, past Mayor of Santa Clara, Everett “Eddie”Souza and brothers Edward, Joseph, and James. She leaves her son Jerry, her sister, Laurita, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass for Lavelle will be held Friday, May 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Peace Church & Shrine, 2800 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Inurnment immediately following at 11:00 AM at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln St, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lavelle's memory may be made to Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, 2625 Zanker Road, San Jose, California 95134, https://www.ccscc.org/donate?locale=en; and Parents Helping Parents, https://www.php.com/?form=buildbrightfutures.