Manitoba Lieutenant Governor

Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba

The Honourable Anita R. Neville, P.C., O.M.

19th – The Honourable Pearl McGonigal, C.M., O.M.

Term of Office: 23 October 1981 – 11 December 1986

Born: Melville, Saskatchewan 10 June 1929


  • First woman to hold the post of Lieutenant Governor in Manitoba and the second in Canada.
  • Spent nine years in the banking field and seven as a merchandising representative.
  • First woman elected to St. James-Assiniboia City Council 1969.
  • Served on Greater Winnipeg City Council 1971-81 and as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Executive Policy Committee 1979-81.
  • Chairman or member of innumerable boards prior to her appointment including those of the Manitoba Theatre Centre, Rainbow Stage, the Red River Exhibition, and Grace General Hospital.
  • A noted gourmet cook, she has written a weekly cooking column in Winnipeg’s daily and community newspapers both prior to and following her term of office.
  • Awarded Honorary Doctor of Law Degree, University of Manitoba, 1983.
  • Appointed to Order of Canada 1994 and Order of Manitoba 2000.