Tributes to vicar's wife

Eluned Bourne, 54, passed away at the vicarage near St Mary's Church, Hailsham, on May 12.

Mrs Bourne had battled cancer and other serious illnesses for a long time.

Rev David Bourne, vicar at St Mary's, said he was 'the other side of her coin'.

He said: 'Eluned didn't complain or blame or say 'why me'.

'She knew her life was in God's hands and she knew her Lord loved her.

'She had such a realistic view of life, warts and all.

'At the same time she had such a focus on the future, on God's new creation still to come.'

The couple took over the leadership of St Mary's three years ago.

They had led a church in Riseley and Bletsoe, Bedfordshire, for 21 years.

Mrs Bourne became seriously ill the same week they moved to Hailsham.

She still found strength to care for other people and sent a gift to a family needing support just 10 days before her death.

Mr Bourne added: 'She planned her own funeral, final visits and letters and emails.

'She wondered how death would come.

'But she faced it without fear, ready to go, and welcoming the prospect of seeing Jesus.

'He is the one who, through all the darkness of dying, lit up her life.'

Mrs Bourne was brought up by her parents in Market Drayton, Abingdon and Kenya.

She met Rev Bourne while studying archaeology at Reading University.

He was president and she was vice-president of the Christian Union.

At the time Mrs Bourne was given weeks to live from Hogkins disease.

She survived and the couple married in 1977.

They had two children '“ Fiona, 24, and Hugh, 22.

Mrs Bourne was passionate about helping churches facing persecution in the world.

She also loved helping people with learning disabilities.

More than 300 people came to the funeral service at St Mary's on Friday.

The Bishop of Lewes, the Right Rev Wallace Benn, led the service.

His wife Lindsay also gave a tribute.

The bishop said: 'I have never in all my ministry known anyone who has died better.

'She fought for life but lived for eternity.

'She impacted the parish in Hailsham more than she ever possibly knew.'

A Hove church minister, Julian Milson, preached on Christ's victory conquering fears of death and sin.