Vanessa D’Souza, BSc(PT)’98, is a woman with a young family. Yet this paediatric physiotherapist has already drafted her will, and it includes a bequest to McGill.
“I’m a person who knew my passions and values quite early in life,” says D’Souza. Her bequest reflects those values: it will aid McGill students in financial need, and it commemorates “the D’Souza and Mendonca families, who arrived in Canada in 1970.”
“My grandparents are from Goa, India, and my mother was the first to immigrate to Canada,” says D’Souza. “As her first child, I’m so privileged to continue the chapter she started. This bequest honours my entire family, their courage, and their values of education and service – which they still hold today.”
D’Souza grew up in Toronto and hoped to pursue a career in health and pediatrics. Several factors led her to McGill: chief among them were the quality of education, the city of Montreal, and her family ties. “Mum arrived in Montreal as a bright-eyed 21-year-old from South Asia. She lived there for many years, and she was very welcomed by the community.” D’Souza also received an entrance scholarship for her community service and academic success.
It gave me peace of mind to know that I already had measures in place.”
She enrolled in the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy and she knew very quickly that she’d made the right decision. “To say I that I was honoured to attend McGill is an understatement. It was a privilege to be immersed in its history, and to follow in the footsteps of those who came before me. The academic excellence was palpable and infectious to all that attended.”
She still remembers her very first class, led by the late Edith Aston-McCrimmon. Among other highlights were the libraries and museums, fall foliage, Montreal bagels, learning how to ski at Ste. Anne, “and all the wonderful people I met along the way. It was a truly a rich life experience.”
D’Souza stayed in the Montreal area to complete her internships and began her career there. Today she’s based in Calgary, where she’s a paediatric physical therapist and neuromuscular clinical trial evaluator for Alberta Health Services. She prepared her bequest to McGill several years ago, but she has no regrets. In fact, “after a significant health scare earlier this year, it gave me peace of mind to know that I already had measures in place. It was a huge relief during a difficult time for myself and my family.”
Her legacy gift to McGill will set an example to her two sons, and ‘pay it forward’ for the scholarship she received. “My scholarship influenced my career and life path, and supporting even one student can impact generations to come – the rewards in society will manifest itself in unimaginable ways, regardless of the discipline this learner follows. It excites me to know my legacy will have a tangible impact on future McGill students.”
What will your legacy be?
McGill is celebrating its 200th anniversary with the goal of securing 200 legacy gifts. For more information, please contact us.
