FAMILY, friends and hundreds of church members met to celebrate the life of Sarah Constantine on Monday.

Sarah was a key figure at the Bournemouth Community Church, based at the Life Centre in Moordown, and the wife of pastor, Roger Constantine.

Nicknamed 'Princess Warrior' by her family, she had battled cancer three times over the last 17 years and passed away on Thursday October 12 aged 53.

The main hall at the Life Centre was packed and adorned with scores of balloons in tribute to her colourful and fun loving personality.

Mr Constantine told the service that Sarah, who was at the centre of many aspects of the church's work particularly with children and teenagers, "lived life at double speed, got the job done and packed a big punch."

He added: "We don't need to sob. Let's cheer and be thankful for a life that shone."

Sarah, born in Bournemouth and at one time a personnel manager at Poole Hospital, was renowned for setting up hundreds of events at BCC, for her creativity and legendary organisational skills - she had a list for everything.

He said his wife (they married in 1988) was passionate in her advocacy of forgiveness.

"She believed that unforgiveness is like a cancer to your soul."

And he praised her guts because "it takes courage to face your fears."

The couple's daughter Emma and son Josh also paid their own tributes.

Emma said: "My mum was ill for most of my life but you would never have known it.

"We have had some really challenging times as a family but my mum was a seeker of joy and we had a house full of mischief. She was an inexhaustible source of joy."

Josh said in her pastoral role she was also "a mum to neglected kids, misbehaving young adults and shepherd to young souls."

Family friend Jacqui Hewitson added: "She did not waste time or opportunities. She splashed so much colour into our lives."