• 71 years after her initial college enrollment, a 90-year-old woman will finally go across the stage and earn her diploma.
• Her family extended over the years, and she now has 24 great-grandchildren in addition to 17 grandchildren.
• DeFauw had previously taught Sunday school. She has always loved learning and teaching, according to Dooley.

In 1951, Joyce DeFauw, afterwards Joyce Viola Kane, enrolled at Northern Illinois University as a freshman with the intention of earning a degree in home economics.

DeFauw told sources on Thursday that her intentions were altered when she met a particular man at church who won her heart.

“I attended school for three and a half years, but after I met him, I decided to leave.” stated DeFauw.

Don Freeman Sr. was the unique individual. Prior to Freeman’s passing, the couple had three children together and were married in 1955. She was left a widow for roughly five years after his passing.

DeFauw eventually wed Roy DeFauw, her deceased second husband. Six children—including two sets of twins—were born to them collectively.

Her family extended over the years, and she now has 24 great-grandchildren in addition to 17 grandchildren.

DeFauw expressed interest in the college curriculum she left behind in 2019 (fast forward to that year).

She explained that after she expressed her regret about not finishing school, her kids pushed her to return. As a result, she reapplied to Northern Illinois and enrolled in classes.
One of DeFauw’s 17 grandkids and alumna of NIU, Jenna Dooley, told sources that when DeFauw made the decision to return, it was more about the “why not” than the “why.”

Dooley recalled visiting her grandmother in her farmhouse as a child, where DeFauw was constantly baking or cooking.

DeFauw had previously taught Sunday school. She has always loved learning and teaching, according to Dooley.

When we called the school to inquire about a former enrolment, they were stunned to learn that we were looking for a kid from the 1950s, according to Dooley.

However, DeFauw found that things were very different this time.

She attended class from her retirement home, sitting in front of a computer screen, rather than walking to campus.

It was my first computer, and my kids had to teach me how to use it, DeFauw remarked.

Dooley stated that her uncle Don, DeFauw’s eldest son, assisted with setting up the computer, procuring a camera for the computer, and instructing her on how to use her school email.

She was grateful for the computer in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic started, according to Dooley. She said, “It worked out extremely well that she was already set up online.

Dooley added that because she was living alone at the time, she was unable to have visitors. She would occasionally become frustrated, but I continued reassuring her that everything was just a part of the process. Added she.

“At times, I considered giving up, but I refrained.” stated DeFauw. She claimed she received a lot of support from her family, friends, and the school.

Judy Santacaterina, director of bachelor general studies, was extremely beneficial to DeFauw. Dooley stated that Santacaterina is appreciated by the entire family for taking on the responsibility of assisting her grandmother in obtaining her degree.

DeFauw attended one class every semester, even in the summer. She has a regimen and is very structured, according to Dooley. In order to maintain that pattern, she wanted to continue taking classes.

Now, three years later, she will don the cap and gown and graduate from the university this weekend with a Bachelor of General Studies degree.

DeFauw is grateful that she had the chance to return to school and complete her degree. It’s satisfying to complete a project that you’ve begun, she remarked.

Don’t give up, she advised anyone who could be in a similar circumstance. “I know it can be difficult, but everything in life has its ups and downs,” she said.

She has a gift for teaching and learning, so being able to rejoice over this is the cherry on top. said Dooley.

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