Sharon Johnston (born 1943) is a Canadian author who was the 55th viceregal consort of Canada, due to being the wife of David Johnston, the 28th Governor General of Canada.
Life and career A native of Sault Ste. Marie, she completed her studies in physiotherapy and occupational therapy at the University of Toronto and received a BSc degree at the University of Western Ontario and an MSc degree at McGill University. She also graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy in rehabilitation science at McGill."David Johnston named UW president". University of Waterloo, October 7, 1998.
The Johnstons married in 1964 and were high school sweethearts."David Johnston: Lawyer, academic, Canada's next GG". CBC News, July 8, 2010.
She began her medical career working for the Crippled Children's Centre in Toronto, now known as the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital."Wife of next Governor General likes to write, but shuns the spotlight, say friends" . Montreal Gazette, July 8, 2010
At the time of her husband's appointment as Governor General, she was taking a creative writing course at Humber College and writing a historical fiction novel. The novel, the first volume of a planned trilogy, was published by Dundurn Press as Matrons and Madams in April 2015."Of Matrons, madams and Rideau Hall traditions: Sharon Johnston talks about her new novel". Ottawa Citizen, April 10, 2015.
She operates a horse training centre,"David Johnston to be Canada's next GG". canoe.ca, July 7, 2010. Chatterbox Farm outside of Waterloo, Ontario, which she owns with her husband. They have five daughters together, including Alex Johnston.
Honours As the viceregal consort of Canada, she was styled Her Excellency while in office. She was invested ex officio as a Companion of the Order of Canada (CC) by Queen Elizabeth II on September 5, 2010, during an audience with Her Majesty at Balmoral Castle.GG-designate visits Queen. CBC News, September 5, 2010. She was also appointed as a Dame of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (DStJ) at the same time. When she and her husband left office on October 2, 2017, their Order of Canada appointments were transferred to appointments as Extraordinary Companions. In 2012, she was awarded the Canadian version of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. On April 18, 2018, she was given the Key to the City of Ottawa by Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson. On July 29, 2018, she was named an Alpha Gamma Delta Distinguished Citizen, one of their highest alumnae honours.
Ribbon bars of Sharon Johnston
Ribbon Description Notes Order of Canada (CC) Companion(September 5, 2010) Extraordinary Companion(October 2, 2017) Order of St. John (DStJ) Dame of Justice(September 5, 2010) Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Canadian version(February 6, 2012)
Honorary military appointments June 6, 2016present: Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy, with responsibility for Military Personnel Command of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Honorary educational appointments Sharon Johnston has been nominated to many voluntary educational roles, such as the board of Collège international Marie de France in Montreal, and Bishop's College School in Lennoxville, Quebec.
Honorary degrees
Location Date School Degree 2015 Vancouver Island University Doctor of Laws (LLD) June 7, 2016 Carleton University Doctor of Laws (LLD) May 18, 2017 University of Manitoba Doctor of Laws (LLD) June 21, 2017 University of Western Ontario Doctor of Laws (LLD) 2018 Nipissing University Doctor of Education (DEd) 2019 Mount Allison University Doctor of Laws (LLD) June 23, 2021 University of Ontario Institute of Technology Doctor of Laws (LLD)
See also Viceregal consort of Canada
References
External links Sharon Johnston, former Vice-Regal Consort biography