Elizabeth Newell

Elizabeth ‘Lida’ Newell is celebrating graduating in the same year as her granddaughter - fulfilling a lifetime ambition to do university studies, through The Open University (OU).

East Lothian’s Lida, aged 84, is the OU’s eldest graduate at a 2024 Glasgow degree ceremony.

She successfully returned to education after a gap of 60 years, while a full-time carer, and has now achieved her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Open degree. 

Lida says: “I had wanted to go to university when I was a teenager but my father died when I was 16 and I had to change direction to help my mum financially, and learn shorthand, typing and book-keeping.

"I became a medical secretary, married and had a family, but always wondered how I would have fared at university.

Access course

“When I started studying at the OU with an access course in 2017, I had already been caring for my husband Norman for nine years after he developed dementia following a stroke. There was also considerable nursing care as he also had a urostomy following bladder cancer.”

Having been away from education for 60 years, I thought it would be wise to do an access course and was amazed to receive a Distinction. This gave me the confidence to go ahead with my degree."

Joining the OU meant Lida, a housewife in Ormiston, could study from home. And the access route allowed her to first see how she enjoyed Open University studies and how they fitted around her other commitments. 

“Having been away from education for 60 years, I thought it would be wise to do an access course and was amazed to receive a Distinction,” says Lida.    

“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.”

Lida’s degree was for “personal fulfilment and to keep my brain working while caring for my husband”. It was funded by a Part-Time Fee Grant. 

Family encouragement

She shares: “My husband had been a senior lecturer – teaching A level English and history at a technology college - and encouraged me as long as he was able. He attained his own degree at the age of 40 in order to further his career.

“He supported me by having a nap in the afternoon or reading for a couple of hours, but this got more difficult to sustain as time went on.  

“My family were very supportive too. I was studying while my grandchildren were at brick universities.”

Tragedy struck in Lida’s second Level 1 year, when her 52-year-old son collapsed and died from a cardiac arrest. A “stressful” inquest followed. 

During her first Level 3 year, Norman’s dementia worsened to the extent that Lida nearly quit the OU, but “gave myself a good talking-to and sought help from social services for the first time”. 

In her final year, Lida was awarded a carer’s break of six respite weeks and was able to use the time for her OU assignments and assessment.   

University graduate

My husband would have been so proud and I miss him so much."

By June 2024, Norman was permanently admitted into his care home. It followed a deterioration in his condition, that prevented him from being able to return home. 

Lida says: “He suffered another stroke on 9 July and passed away on 18 July before I received my result. He would have been so proud and I miss him so much.” 

Reflecting, Lida – whose “confidence and social conscience” have increased through study - adds: “Although not on the same level, we have also lost three beloved pets in the last three years, so it has been a rocky road, but not without happy days of celebration etc.    

“Having to focus on study certainly kept me grounded!”

To anyone embarking on an OU course, she advises: “I would certainly recommend it provided they could find the necessary time and commitment alongside other duties. It is very hard work and demands resolve to keep going.”

With her plentiful resolve, now Lida - just like her 21-year-old granddaughter who studied at Leeds University - has graduated in 2024.

Photo by Kathryn Tuckerman