Dr. Dorothea L. Souza, a retired obstetrician/gynecologist and Renaissance woman, died April 30 while on a Caribbean cruise. She was 87.
A life-long resident of Medford, Dr. Souza graduated from Tufts University School of Medicne with the class of 1947. In a class of 112 graduates she was one of five women. She began practicing in Medford and was the first woman to perform a ceasarian section and major surgury at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Delivering thousands of babies over her 40 year career, Dr. Souza retired in 1985. She was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, American Medical Associates and the New England Obsterical and Gynecology Society.
A woman with broad interests and far reaching abilities, Dorothea was known, too, for her love of horses. From the age of three, she had developed an interest in them. Not untill her thirties did she begin to ride. During her frequent trips to Mexico she was honored to ride with the Mexican Calvary. An owner of several racing horses, Dorothea also enjoyed games of chance. She was a charter member of the Thoroughbread Racing Fans of New England. Her world travels allowed her to develop her artistic skill. While in Mexico she learned how to cut opals and her jewelry designs and stones were often sought after. An award winning painter, she was known for her paintings of horses and of wild animals which she painted while on safari in Africa. She was also a student of oragami.
Dr. Souza was a generous contributor to animal causes. She is especially remembered for her kindness and the great care she gave her patients.
She was the beloved daughter of the late Joseph and Louise (Silva) Souza. She was a dear cousin to Carol DaSilva and her husband Herbert of Reading, Jean Morabito and her late husband Domenic of East Boston. She also leaves many other cousins and dear friends.
A funeral mass will be offered in St. Joseph Church, Tuesday morning at 11. Burial will be private. Relatives and friends may visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 main St. Medford, Monday 5 – 8. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Development Office, 100 Hospital Rd., Malden, MA 02148.