Irish woman (107) who emigrated to America finally gets high-school diploma

Authored by independent.ie and submitted by FlatWhiteLover

A Kerry woman who emigrated to America in her twenties was awarded her high-school diploma at the age of 107.

Hanna Lovett (107) was born in Kerry in 1910 but left school at a young age before emigrating to New York, where she rebuilt her life.

Lovett eventually settled down in Mattituck, Long Island, where she raised six children with her husband. According to NewsDay.com, the great-grandmother completed a programme to be qualified to care for newborn babies when she was a young woman, before studying to become a carer. However, it had long been a dream to be awarded her high-school diploma.

Lovett's daughter Ann reached out to the principal of their local Mattituck Junior-Senior High School, who presented the 107-year-old with the honorary degree last month. The popular granny is even the subject of a memoir by local author Sara Bloom.

According to the publication, principal Shawn Petretti credited Lovett at the ceremony and spoke of her fascinating life. "We thought it was appropriate because she’s lived such a full and fascinating life, even though she had to leave school at such a young age."

"I do believe she fits right in with the class of 2017."

TuxedoJesus on July 28th, 2017 at 14:57 UTC »

What an advantage to live through half the subjects you cover in history class!

fwaffer on July 28th, 2017 at 14:15 UTC »

Still not enough experience for a job though.

RPMI1640 on July 28th, 2017 at 12:31 UTC »

Home of the what??