Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to mark the passing of Saskatchewan's first female lieutenant-governor. Sylvia Fedoruk passed away on Wednesday evening at the age of 85. She faithfully represented the Queen from 1988 to 1994. As the first female lieutenant of Saskatchewan, she was an inspiration for many young women.
She gained prominence in 1951 as the only woman on the four person team that developed the cobalt 60 cancer therapy unit. Sylvia then went on to be the chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan.
She was active in Huskies athletics, played net one year for the women's hockey team and was co-captain of the women's basketball team. In 1961, she was a member of the Joyce McKee curling team that won the Canadian women's curling championship. Later she was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame.
In 1987 Sylvia was named as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Sylvia Fedoruk truly embodied the spirit of Saskatchewan and should be an inspiration to all of us.
I thank Sylvia for her service to the people of Saskatchewan. May she rest in peace.