90-year-old woman graduates from US university with honours, celebrates unique achievement

Joyce DeFauw, a remarkable 90-year-old grandmother, finally fulfilled her longtime goal of receiving a university degree after making her initial try more than 70 years ago.

With a bachelor’s degree in general studies, Joyce DeFauw, 90, became the oldest individual to ever graduate from Northern Illinois University in the United States.

Joyce DeFauw narrated that she first enrolled in Northern Illinois University in 1951 but had to terminate her education having meeting the love of her life in a church. “I went to school for three and a half years, but decided to leave after I met him.” DeFauw narrated.

WREX claims that Northern Illinois University was known as Northern Illinois State Teachers College when Joyce DeFauw attended for the first time to complete her bachelor’s degree. She first enrolled to get a degree in teaching but changed her focus to home economics.

Don Freeman Sr. is her spouse and the attractive man Joyce DeFauw fell in love with. Before his death, they were married and had three kids together.

Later, Joyce wed the late Roy DeFauw. Together, they raised six kids, including two sets of twins. She currently has 24 great-grandchildren and 17 grandchildren thanks to the expansion of her family over the years.

In 2019, Joyce DeFauw decided to return to the university to earn her degree after her children encouraged her. “I guess I mentioned I was upset that I didn’t finish school and my children encouraged me to go back,” she said.

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