Gran Masters
Even heart surgery did not stop her
I’d hope to inspire all to set goals and achieve
the amazing
ALL over Britain proud students are pulling on gowns and mortarboards for graduation ceremonies.
They have every reason to feel satisfied, having endured lockdown and worked hard to gain their degrees.
But perhaps one woman has more reason to be pleased than most.
Meet the amazing Norah Button who, at the tender age of 83, has just received a masters degree from Liverpool John Moores University.
Nothing was going to stop the mum of one from gaining her merit certificate in Music Theatre and Drama – even a quadruple heart bypass.
The tireless dancer performed a ballet on a hospital ward pre-op and even studied after surgery.
Norah, from Liverpool, said: “It has been an incredible journey and it just goes to show you’re never too old to add a new string to your bow, even at the age of 83.
“I have dedicated my whole life to my family and dancing, so I wanted to do something for me before I die.”
Bombed
Not that she is planning to do that soon, Norah plans to be still dancing at 100 and is now considering what she will do next.
Her achievement of becoming one of Britain’s oldest graduates is all the more remarkable because she left school with no qualifications.
That was 68 years ago in
1954, when Winston Churchill was Prime Minister and
Roger Bannister ran the first four-minute mile.
She said: “At school we had 60 to 70 pupils in the class as many schools had been bombed so we didn’t learn much.
“Completing a masters degree in an industry I’ve been so passionate about my whole life has been on my bucket list for a very long time.
“I’ve never rested on my laurels so I’m already looking for my next challenge.”
Norah was the eldest in her university class by at least 50 years but was unfazed. She said: “I’d have loved to meet all the students in person, but I was studying during the pandemic lockdowns.
“However, I did still form a bond with the students, and they often asked me about audition advice.
“The hardest part was using a computer as all the lectures were via Zoom.
“I asked an ex-dance student to help me use the internet to research and for my grammar.”
Even now, Norah is still teaching kids at Liverpool
Theatre School, where she was principal for over five decades, and is an incredible role model for those of all ages.
She said: “Teaching young performers has always been a huge part of my career. I still love every minute of it, I’ll never retire.”
Norah remained determined after having surgery in December 2021 following two heart attacks.
She said: “Usually, they don’t perform this kind of surgery on a pensioner over 80. But I argued that I’m not your average 82-yearold, I can still stand with one leg in the air. I am very fit.
“Eventually the surgeon agreed and said I’m likely to live for another 10 years but I believe I will
live and dance until I am 100. I was performing a classical ballet dance in the ward prior to the surgery, the doctors couldn’t catch their breath. It was comical. While recovering in the hospital bed, I remembered I had a deadline and managed to talk the nurse into lending me her laptop.
“The assignment was about the entertainments national service association, ENSA, which was easy for me as I was there.
“My grandmother Anastasia Morrissey, who started Liverpool Theatre School in her home’s basement in 1939, was a fabulous entertainer and she taught me everything I know. She always said, ‘Nothing’s impossible if you believe it and never take no for an answer’.
“In my early 20s and late teens, I competed and won 19 beauty pageants so I could use the money to pay for the rent of Liverpool Theatre School, which I took over when my grandmother fell ill.
“My life revolves around that place and it always will, but I am over the moon that I have finally done something for myself.
“I hope my story will inspire others, whatever their age, to set themselves a goal and achieve something remarkable.”