Early Spring on the South Saskatchewan
This painting by Saskatchewan landscape artist Dorothy Knowles depicts the South Saskatchewan River. It was given to Parliament in 1978 by the spouses of Progressive Conservative Members. It may have been displayed in a Centre Block lounge used by the Parliamentary Wives Association (now known as the Parliamentary Spouses Association).
The painting was offered in memory of John Diefenbaker’s second wife, Olive. The two were married in 1953, the year he was elected as Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Olive was closely associated with her husband’s political career in Ottawa. Fully bilingual, she was known as a gifted conversationalist and gracious host at 24 Sussex Drive during Diefenbaker’s time as Prime Minister. Olive died in 1976, while Diefenbaker was still a sitting MP; he died three years later. The two are buried together on the grounds of the Diefenbaker Centre in Saskatoon, in a plot overlooking the South Saskatchewan River.