THE widow of a former Bishop of Selby has died aged 91.

Imogene Sargent, whose husband, Bishop Douglas Sargent, died in 1979, is remembered by her three sons as someone who loved life, lived it to the full and was heavily involved in the community in Bishopthorpe, York, which became her home more than 30 years ago.

Born in China to American parents, she was educated in the U.S. before returning to China to become a missionary.

There she met Douglas Sargent, who, according to their son Christopher, pursued her half way around the world.

The couple married and honeymooned in South Africa in 1942, before returning to China, where they lived and worked until 1951, when they came to England.

Douglas Sargent then took on a different role with the Church Mission Society before being made Bishop of Selby in 1962. He retired in 1971, due to ill health, and the couple moved to Bishopthorpe. Bishop Sargent died eight years later.

Christopher Sargent, who has two brothers, Michael and Andrew, said that their mother was a well-liked woman.

He said: "Since my father died my mother remained in Bishopthorpe, living happily as an Anglicised American.

"She was part of the community. The church has been good to her, she had a good time.

"She's always been involved in charity work, supporting Christian Aid among others.

"Being American she was quite outgoing, she had a good circle of friends and she was very lively."

A funeral service for Mrs Sargent, who died on April 24 after a stroke, will take place at St Andrew's Church, Bishopthorpe, on Wednesday, at 2.45pm.

Updated: 11:10 Monday, April 29, 2002