The first matron of Oxford's Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre has died, aged 81.

Anne Frances Kaicker, known as Frankie or Sister Hurst, her maiden name, opened the Abingdon Road-based unit in 1955 and stayed there until 1967.

Originally from Connecticut, she trained as a nurse in Dublin then travelled to England.

Before joining Rivermead, which looks after people with serious head injuries and strokes, Mrs Kaicker, of north Oxford, played a large part in the development of the former Cowley Road Hospital.

After she took over Rivermead, it was common for her to work a 12-hour day, returning later in the evening to take part in patient entertainment. The Nursing Times magazine once said of her: "She is a refreshing person, and is one who bears no resemblance at all to the popular image of a matron. She is quiet, friendly and unassuming.

"Over the years the word matron has come to mean many things to many people. To the people at Rivermead, however, it means someone friendly and always approachable, someone who believes people are a nurse's first concern."

Widow Mrs Kaicker, who died last Wednesday, was married to architect Amrit Krishan. She leaves behind two children, Raishmee Victoria and Arjun.

A Requiem Mass takes place at St Gregory's and St Augustine's Church, Woodstock Road, Oxford, on Friday, at 10am.