Priyangani DeSoyza

Priyangani Ann DeSoyza, DVM November 8, 1977 - March 14, 2025 Priyangani Ann DeSoyza passed away peacefully at home on March 14, 2025, after an eleven year battle with cancer. Born together with her twin Neelangani on November 8, 1977 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Priya was a loving and committed sister, daughter, sister-in-law, auntie and friend. Raised from the age of two in the Bronx, NY, Priya was a joyful member of a close knit and loving family. Priya graduated from The Bronx High School of Science in 1995 and Binghamton University in 1999. After working at The Bronx Zoo and The Central Park Zoo, Priya applied her love for animals and her passion for math and science to becoming a veterinarian. Dr. DeSoyza graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She worked at Crown Veterinary Specialists in Lebanon, NJ. Shortly after beginning at Crown, Dr. DeSoyza took a special interest in the dogs from Outcast Rescue, volunteering to be the rescue's medical director. In both capacities, Priya provided compassionate and impactful care to her patients and their families. Priya loved life and embraced all it had to offer head on, with so much beauty, fortitude and resilience. She loved being outdoors. She loved the ocean. Whether she was sitting with the sun on her face, going on a hike, kayaking up a river, swimming in the surf, snorkeling, or jumping off rocks into the sea, she would stay outdoors until the shadows were long. Priya loved traveling, and was always looking forward to her next adventure. She loved to think and to learn, and was always reading, listening to music, debating, watching and listening to new ideas. She was informed, opinionated and dynamic. She cultivated relationships with a wide range of people who held varied experiences and views, accepting and loving us all. Perhaps most of all, Priya loved spending time with her nieces and nephews and supporting her friends and family. Priya was a selfless and generous giver of time, affection, advice and love. She never stopped caring for others, even through facing the challenging moments of life. Her warmth, smile and infectious laugh filled the hearts of all who had the honor of sharing life with her. Priya possessed an uncommon strength and bravery as she lived every day, with so much grace and humor. Rooted in culture, family and belonging, Priya was grounded in her Sri Lankan heritage and in January 2025 cherished her return to Sri Lanka. Priya is predeceased by her devoted father, Sumitte DeSoyza. She is survived by her loving mother, Irene DeSoyza, her older brother Sanjeeve DeSoyza and sister-in-law Amy DeSoyza, her twin sister Neelangani DeSoyza and brother-in-law Seth Finkelstein, and her six nieces and nephews Emily, Kira, Ashan, Wolff, Mason, and Samantha. Priya is also predeceased by her darling fur babies Bonnie, Cleo, Dasha, Edgar, Petey, Phantom, Waffles, and beloved Cubby. She is survived by Cricket, Humperdink, Mantis, and Munchkin. In lieu of flowers, Priya’s family is asking for donations to be made to Outcast Rescue https://www.outcastrescue.com/ways-to-donate