Centenarian joins Royal Canadian Legion on its centennial anniversary

Suzanne deSouza joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Pilot Officer Nursing Sister in 1945. PHOTO: SUPPLIED: Suzanne deSouza

Second World War veteran Suzanne deSouza (Kelley) joined the Collingwood Royal Canadian Legion on Canada Day.

The 101-year-old woman was convinced it was time to do so, as the Legion was celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

deSouza was formally sworn into the Legion by Branch President Anthony Griffiths.

In doing so, the Legion recognized a woman whose life has spanned more than a century of Canadian history and service.

After graduating from the University of Toronto’s Physical Therapy class of 1945, Suzanne was selected to join the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Pilot Officer Nursing Sister.

As the Second World War drew to a close, she began caring for severely wounded Canadian servicemen returning home from Europe and from prisoner-of-war camps.

Fresh out of school, she exchanged campus life for military hospitals filled with young men recovering from devastating injuries, including severe burns and life-altering trauma.

deSouza spoke not about the hardships, but about the people she met.

“The men were always so grateful,” she said. “They treated us with tremendous respect.”

DeSousa and her fellow nurses would often take recovering veterans out in the evenings to dance and enjoy live music. For many of these young men, the opportunity to laugh, socialize and simply feel normal again became an important part of their healing.

“It sometimes helped more than any medication,” she said.

Following her military service, Suzanne continued her career in physiotherapy, married her late husband Paul in 1954, and raised a family.

Today, at 101 years of age, she remains sharp, warm, and humble. Her son Dan, said she attributes her longevity to simple pleasures such as reading, eating well, and staying as active as possible.

As Canada marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, welcoming a member of the generation that helped secure the freedoms Canadians enjoy today served as a powerful reminder of the Legion’s enduring mission: to remember, to serve, and to ensure the sacrifices of our veterans are never forgotten.

“We are honoured to welcome Suzanne de Souza (Kelley) into our Legion family,” said Griffiths. “Her service, compassion and quiet strength represent the very values our organization has stood for over the past century. Having her join us during our Centennial year makes this a truly historic occasion for our branch.”