Nancy Trenaman Nancy Trenaman, formerly Principal of St Anne's College, Oxford, has died at 82.

Nancy Trenaman

She was a high-flyer who joined the civil service after achieving a First at Somerville College, Oxford, and served at the Board of Trade and the British Embassy in Washington before taking the reins at St Anne's in 1984.

She was also a leading fundraiser for the college and played an important role in admissions.

Her love of music ensured St Anne's offered places to students studying music degrees and new practice rooms were built.

The college's current principal, Ruth Deech, said: "Her gift for administration was such that she was an excellent choice to head St Anne's after the retirement of Lady Ogilivie in 1984.

"She saw it as her task to facilitate the academic endeavours of tutors and undergraduates."

Mrs Deech added: "Nancy Trenaman led the college into co-education and, as in so many matters, her instinct that it would be the right thing to do was correct. She was an excellent judge of character and was influential in selecting generations of highly-achieving students."

Nancy Trenaman is survived by her husband, Mervyn. Her funeral was held at Oxford Crematorium on March 26.