A GRANDMOTHER has achieved her life-long goal of graduating from university following a 60-year gap from education, finishing her studies in the same year as her granddaughter. 

Elizabeth ‘Lida’ Newell, from Main Street, Ormiston, always dreamed of dedicating her time to a degree but instead stayed at home to support the family after her father died when was 16.

She learned shorthand, typing and book-keeping, going on to work as a housewife and carer.   

Now 84, Lida has celebrated the completion of her studies at her graduation ceremony, achieving her degree while caring for her husband and during the death of her son.

Lida was the oldest student at her graduation ceremony, where she received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Open degree (Image: Open University in Scotland)

This was the second round of celebrations for the family this year as Lida’s granddaughter Evie Torkington, 21, also received a degree from Leeds University. 

Evie graduated with a First Class Honours in Art and Design and has gone on to study an MA in Fine Art at Central St Martin’s in London.

Lida attended Evie's degree show in Leeds earlier this year. Lida began studying at the Open University with an access course in 2017, able to continue her role as a carer by working from home.

She said: “This gave me the confidence to go ahead with my degree and I have thoroughly enjoyed the studying. The assignments and assessments have always been nerve-racking but perhaps this is the same for students of all ages!” 

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Her husband Norman developed dementia following a stroke in 2008, and his condition worsened, causing Lida to nearly quit the course, but sought help from social services and received a six-week carer’s respite break. 

In Lida’s second Level 1 year, her son collapsed and died from a cardiac arrest at the age of 52.

Norman was then admitted into a care home in June 2024 and he passed away before Lida received her results. 

She said: “He would have been so proud and I miss him so much.”  

Her hard work despite difficult circumstances means that she has now achieved her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Open degree.  

Her daughter Susan said that is "super proud" of Lida and reflected on how hard she has worked to get to this point.

She said: "Not many people can say they’ve been to their daughter’s and their mum’s graduation in the same year!

“She has worked incredibly hard and is a huge inspiration and role model to Evie and her other grandchildren.

“We’re all wondering what she’s going to do next!”

Lida was the oldest graduate at her ceremony which saw 660 students walk across the stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Friday (October 25).