1899: Born in Wawanesa, Manitoba, Edna Mae Brower grew up to be a school teacher in Langham, Saskatchewan. At age 29, she quietly married John Diefenbaker in Toronto. At the time, he was prairie lawyer attempting, without luck, to get into politics.
Edna proved to be major asset in helping Diefenbaker succeed at the polls, even though it took 11 more years and three more tries. Her support of his career, which often included sitting in House of Commons gallery to watch him perform, remained constant until she died of leukemia in 1951 at age 51.
Canadian Prime Ministers 