Helen Hnatyshyn, 84, women's leader, mother of governor general (12/26/93)

Helen Hnatyshyn, 84, women's leader, mother of governor general

by Christopher Guly

OTTAWA - Helen Hnatyshyn, the mother of Canada's Governor-General Ramon Hnatyshyn, died in Saskatoon on December 9. She was 84.

Helen Constance (Pitts) Hnatyshyn was a long-time promoter of women's equality. She was one of the first members appointed to the Advisory Council on the Status of Women two decades ago.

Three years ago, Mrs. Hnatyshyn's vice-regal son presented her with the Governor-General's Persons Award, recognizing achievements in improving the status of women. The award was named for a 1929 case that legally acknowledged women as persons.

A former president of the National Council of Women of Canada, Mrs. Hnatyshyn also held an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Saskatchewan.

A woman of Ukrainian descent, Mrs. Hnatyshyn also spent 14 years on the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

She is survived by her three sons, Ray, Victor and David, a daughter, Elizabeth, and six grandsons. Her husband, John Hnatyshyn, the first senator appointed from Saskatoon, died in 1967.

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