Janet Diveky (née Grant) began her journey at Rustenburg Girls’ High School from 1954 to 1958, and though she may have swapped the Cape sunshine for the snowy landscapes of northern Canada, her heart still holds fond memories of her Rustybug days — badge and tie included!
After five happy years at RGHS, Janet’s path led her far north to the Canadian Arctic. She and her husband, George, first ventured to Kuujjuaq in 1964, where George famously built his first igloo and they launched their life in the North. Janet began teaching and spent over 20 years in elementary education, with a few chapters in library work along the way. A highlight? Running the Girl Guides with none other than Canada’s current Governor-General, Mary Simon, whom she first met in Kuujjuaq. The two recently reconnected over an informal lunch during a visit from the Governor-General.
The Divekys eventually settled in Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest Territories, not quite Arctic tundra, but nestled in the boreal forest on the Canadian Shield, where they embraced life in a landscape of ice caves, vast lakes, and endless sky.
Now retired, Janet enjoys “getting her hands in the dirt,” whether it’s gardening, making pottery, or exploring the outdoors, from cross-country skiing near their home to fishing and berry picking on nearby islands in Great Slave Lake.
She still recalls her Red Cross classes on Wednesdays in the old lodge by the hockey field and proudly remembers winning the 1956 First Aid Competition, a moment of teamwork that remains close to her heart.
As the Northern Hemisphere moves into long spring days (sunrise at 4 am, sunset at 11 pm Janet says; hello, land of the midnight sun!). “Say hello to the Southern Cross for me,” she says from thousands of miles away.
From the sports fields of RGHS to the snowy expanses of northern Canada, Janet’s journey reminds us of lifelong curiosity, courage, and community.
