Born Gabrielle Carmel in Montreal, she was introduced to Jules Léger, a lawyer studying at the Sorbonne, by friends in 1937 while in Paris and they married on August 13, 1938.[1] They had two daughters Francine and Helene. One of them died in May 1968.
Six months after being appointed Governor General in 1974, Jules Léger suffered a stroke. Gabrielle assisted in his rehabilitation by helping him to learn to speak and walk again. She also read the Governor General New Year's message in 1975 and became the first woman to read passages from the Speech from the Throne in 1976 when she read it along with Jules Léger.[1]
Her contributions to her husband's term were recognized by her inclusion in Mr. Léger's official portrait, which hangs in the Entrance Hall at Rideau Hall. Gabrielle Léger was the first spouse to have been featured in a portrait along with the Governor General. The right honourable Michaëlle Jean`s husband Jean Daniel-Lafond is also included in her official portrait.
From 1979 to 1985, she was the Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. Gabrielle Léger was named co-president along with Cardinal Paul-Émile Léger of the Jules and Paul-Émile Léger Foundation when it was created by a special act of the Canadian Parliament in 1981.[1]
In 1974, she was made a Companion of the Order of Canada as the "spouse of the twenty-first Governor General of Canada".[2]
References
^ abc"Debates of the Senate (Hansard), Tuesday, March 17, 1998".
^. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
gabrielle, léger, 1916, march, 1998, wife, 21st, governor, general, canada, jules, léger, viceregal, consort, canada, borngabrielle, carmel, 1916, 1916montreal, quebecdiedmarch, 1998, 1998, aged, known, forviceregal, consort, canadaawardsorder, canadaborn, gab. Gabrielle Leger CC May 25 1916 March 10 1998 was the wife of the 21st Governor General of Canada Jules Leger and was the Viceregal consort of Canada Gabrielle LegerBornGabrielle Carmel 1916 05 25 May 25 1916Montreal QuebecDiedMarch 10 1998 1998 03 10 aged 81 Known forViceregal consort of CanadaAwardsOrder of CanadaBorn Gabrielle Carmel in Montreal she was introduced to Jules Leger a lawyer studying at the Sorbonne by friends in 1937 while in Paris and they married on August 13 1938 1 They had two daughters Francine and Helene One of them died in May 1968 Six months after being appointed Governor General in 1974 Jules Leger suffered a stroke Gabrielle assisted in his rehabilitation by helping him to learn to speak and walk again She also read the Governor General New Year s message in 1975 and became the first woman to read passages from the Speech from the Throne in 1976 when she read it along with Jules Leger 1 Her contributions to her husband s term were recognized by her inclusion in Mr Leger s official portrait which hangs in the Entrance Hall at Rideau Hall Gabrielle Leger was the first spouse to have been featured in a portrait along with the Governor General The right honourable Michaelle Jean s husband Jean Daniel Lafond is also included in her official portrait From 1979 to 1985 she was the Chancellor of the University of Ottawa Gabrielle Leger was named co president along with Cardinal Paul Emile Leger of the Jules and Paul Emile Leger Foundation when it was created by a special act of the Canadian Parliament in 1981 1 In 1974 she was made a Companion of the Order of Canada as the spouse of the twenty first Governor General of Canada 2 References Edit a b c Debates of the Senate Hansard Tuesday March 17 1998 Order of Canada citation Archived from the original on September 30 2007 Honorary titlesPreceded byNorah Michener Viceregal Consort of Canada1974 1979 Succeeded byLily SchreyerAcademic officesPreceded byGerald Fauteux Chancellor of the University of Ottawa1979 1985 Succeeded byMaurice Sauve Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gabrielle Leger amp oldid 1127043201, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
