Dr. Frances Kelsey to be remembered with special assembly at school that carries her name

Doctor Frances Kelsey Secondary will be honouring its namesake this week.

Kelsey died last Summer at the age of 101, just a day after receiving the Order of Canada.

Kelsey was born in Cobble Hill, and lived there until leaving to study pharmacology and medicine.

Jeff Rowan is principle of Frances Kelsey secondary.

As Kelsey feared, thalidomide ended up causing serious birth defects in thousands of children in countries where it was approved, including Canada.

Kelsey maintained close ties with the Island throughout her life, and her daughter Susan will be among the guests for Wednesday’s special assembly at the school.