Marion Parsons, above, who has died aged 96, taught needlework to hundreds of students.

She spent 17 years at Oxford College of Further Education, first at Singletree at Rose Hill and later at Cave Street, in St Clement's. She also ran evening classes.

She devoted many hours of her spare time to creating soft furnishings, clothes and toys for her family and friends.

Mrs Parsons grew up in Merthyr Tydfil, in South Wales, and came to Oxford to look after her sister and son.

She met her future husband, Leslie Nip' Parsons, at a dance at Carfax Assembly Rooms and they were married at Temple Cowley Congregational Church in 1934.

Their marriage lasted 70 years, before Mr Parsons's death in 2005.

Mrs Parsons lived in Linkside Avenue and later Marston Ferry Road, Oxford, before moving to Green Gates nursing home, where she died.

She leaves a daughter Heather and grandchildren, Howard and Laura. Her son, John, the Daily Telegraph and former Oxford Mail sports writer, died in 2004.

Her funeral took place at Summertown United Reformed Church on April 30.