Dr. Marion Niven, former principal of the Anglican Women's Training College and its successor institution, the Centre for Christian Studies, died in Toronto on Jan. 4 at the age of 83.

Born in Toronto, she earned a B.A. and M.A. in history from the University of Toronto and a B.A. and M.A. in education at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York.

She was a public school teacher in Ontario and Quebec for several years, joining the staff of the Anglican college in Toronto in 1959. She was appointed principal in 1966. In 1969, the college merged with Covenant College to become the Centre for Christian Studies, which grants a diploma in diaconal studies.

Dr. Niven retired in 1988. She received an honourary doctor of divinity degree from Trinity College, University of Toronto.