Karen Gerda Hnatyshyn, CC (née Karen Gerda Nygaard Andreasen) (born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1935) was the wife of Ray Hnatyshyn, Governor General of Canada from 1960 to 1995, and served as viceregal consort during Ray Hnatyshyn's term of office. She attended the University of Saskatchewan and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. After an internship at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, she worked as a hospital dietician in Saskatoon and Ottawa. She married Hnatyshyn in January 1960. The couple had two sons, John Georg Hnatyshyn and Carl Andrew Nygaard Hnatyshyn.
As the spouse of a Governor General, she was also invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada upon Ray Hnatyshyn's swearing-in.
She co-authored, Rideau Hall: Canada's Living Heritage, about Rideau Hall in 1994 with the proceeds going to make purchases of art and furnishings for the official residence. She also worked with the Canadian Heritage Garden Foundation to develop a heritage garden in the grounds of Rideau Hall.
Gerda Hnatyshyn is currently president and chair of the Hnatyshyn Foundation, an arts granting organization.
Famous quotes containing the word gerda:
“Girls, get an education and escape slavery.”
—Rena Rietveld Verduin, U.S. farm woman. As quoted in The Female Experience, ch. 45, by Gerda Lerner (1977)