A former Haworth couple who both served as priests have died within a month of each other.

The Reverends Eddie and Stella Taylor died passed away after suffering short illnesses. Eddie was 90 and Stella 82.

The pair lived in Haworth from 1988 to 2000 and had five sons, one of whom – Richard – died in 1991.

Another of their sons, Jeremy, said: “They were dearly loved by so many people, and they will be sadly missed.

“Everybody said that as a couple they were inseparable, so there is some comfort in knowing they are now together again.”

He added his parents had loved their time in Haworth, and had been very involved with the local community.

They were born in south-east London and met through the church, marrying in 1959. Eddie, who was previously a Royal Navy meteorologist, then a science teacher, was ordained in 1953 and served as vicar of three churches in Sussex – Langley Green, Hangleton and Wivelsfield.

He also worked at Chichester Cathedral and was a gifted musician. He played the cello and organ, and was a composer and choir master.

He retired in 1988 and moved to Haworth with his wife, who was herself ordained in Bradford Cathedral the following year.

Stella was a keen singer, who was active in the Young Wives and Mother’s Union groups. She had worked as a senior PA at Lambeth Palace in the 1980s.

Jeremy said although his parents had worshipped at Haworth Parish Church, his mother spent her ordained ministry at Keighley Shared Church.

When they left the area in 2000, the couple moved to Westham, Pevensey, in East Sussex to be nearer their sons and their nine grandchildren.

Eddie died on March 7 and Stella on April 1. Their funerals were held at Wivelsfield Church in Sussex.

As well as Jeremy, they also leave sons Peter, Nicholas and Paul.