Ann Mayou, who died on September 7 at the age of 69, was involved in education, mainly in Oxfordshire, for almost all her adult life.

Working in all types of secondary education, her quiet determination and compassion had a large impact on schools and their pupils.

She was immensely public-spirited but would have been astonished by how many people have been shocked at the gaps in so many activities left by her sudden death.

After graduating in politics, philosophy and economics at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, she married and worked as an assistant lecturer at the Oxford College of Further Education.

In 1969 she took a post teaching economic history at Oxford High School.

In 1980, she married her second husband Richard, a psychiatrist at Oxford University.

Mrs Mayou worked at OHS for over 20 years, teaching economics, history, and maths, before becoming the head of careers and head of sixth form.

In 1991 she was appointed headmistress of Northwood College, an independent girls school on the edge of London.

Mrs Mayou retired from Northwood in 2002, and became a governor of Lord Williams’s School in Thame, later becoming chairman of the governing body, a post she held until her death.

She is survived by her husband Richard and children Lucy and James.

A memorial celebration will be held at St Mary Magdalene Church, Shabbington, at noon on Monday, September 19.