Margaret Bekema was scheduled to graduate from high school in 1936, but life had other plans.

Margaret Bekema was scheduled to graduate from high school in 1936, but life had other plans when her mother passed away when she was still a teenager. Bekema, now 97, received her honorary degree from Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan this year. Principal of the school, Greg Deja stated, "Catholic Central is proud to honor Margaret with the diploma she should have received long ago. Even though Margaret never officially completed high school, her story as a former Catholic Central student has impacted the school and our community. Today News reports Margaret's full story, including the touching photos of her receiving her degree here.

Photo: Emily Rose Bennett