Bill Gibbons WILLIAM Arthur “Bill” Gib- bons (83) lived for more than 40 years in Boughton Lane, Loose. Bill and wife Doreen emi-


grated to Canada in the mid- 1950s believing theywould not be able to have children. But Doreen soon found herself ex- pecting, first Timothy and two years later, Andrew. They then moved back to the UK to be close to their family. Bill was a teacher at the special needs unit at Glencoe School in Chatham. He was a regular worshipper


for several years at All Saints’ Church and then at Park Wood Catholic Church. Son Tim described his father


as “philosophical, intelligent and considerate”. “He had a passion for cricket


and watched Kent play all over the county and took both of us sons along. He also loved gar- dening and classical music, es- pecially Schubert, Beethoven and Mozart.” Bill leaves his widow, sons


and grandchildren Emma, Neil and Lauren.


Phyllis Martin HAIRDRESSER Phyllis Martin, of Linden Road, Coxheath, built up a chain of salons in the area. Staplehurst-born (nee Pride),


she had lived in Coxheath for more than 30 years. Her salons included premises in Yalding andWateringbury. Married for 61 years to Donal,


an engineer, Phyllis was de- scribed by her friend and carer Carol Falzon as a “very gener- ous and strong woman with a


We will remember


wicked sense of humour”. Phyllis had been a member of


the church choir in Coxheath for many years and also at- tended the Monday Club run by Age Concern. She leaves her widower.


Eileen Ham EILEENGrace Ham (76) lived locally her entire life. Born in Loose village (nee Perriman), she moved with her family to the Foster Clark Estate and Brockenhurst Avenue. After she and Trevor married more than 50 years ago the cou- ple moved to Pickering Street, Loose.


Mother to Collin, Susan and


dery and needlework and made a lot of our clothes. “She was born with only two fingers on each hand but never let that hold her back in life, with one of her proudest achievements being completely tiling the family bathroom. “We never heard her say a


bad word about anyone, prefer- ring just to accept people as they were.” Eileen leaves her widower,


her children and grandchildren Alex and Holly.


Colin James COLINDavid James (78) had lived in Loose Road for 27 years, and had previously lived in Chapman Avenue, off Will- ington Street. Born in Rochester, he fol-


lowed a career in the construc- tion industry, working for many years in site management, in- cluding spells on major build- ing projects in and around Maidstone such as the Grove Green estate and the Crown Court building. He worked for a number of firms including Wimpey Homes. Colin was father to Simon


and Kingsley and stepfather to Janet, Kim and Julie. His widow Jean said: “He was


Lynda, she worked for about 20 years at Bob Packaging, later Leonard Gould, near her home. Lynda said: “Mum recalled to


me many happy childhood memories of cycling around Kent with her family. “My mother lived a quiet and happy life, devoted to her fam- ily and enjoying gardening. She also created beautiful embroi-


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a very generous and happy man. We met playing bad- minton at Larkfield and Colin enjoyed playing and watching badminton, and watching ten- nis. He also loved gardening and being with his family.” Colin leaves his widow, chil-


dren, stepchildren, nine grand- children and three great- granddaughters.


Andrew Vickers ANDREW Vickers died three days before his 23rd birthday. He was well known as a tal- ented rugby player and a mem- ber of a very successful young side who had won their age group in the Kent Cup for U16, U17 and U18. Andrew went on to study


sports science at Exeter Univer- sity, doing well enough to be of- fered a place to study for a PhD. He had just started this phase of his life when he was found dead in his room. Andrew was a type one dia-


betic and had made a specific study of diabetes in sport as part of his degree course. Maidstone Rugby Club’s web- site has praised his skill and the


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contributions he made to the senior side in his time at home from university. Andrew, who lived at


Weavering, had worked part- time for four years at Pen- nies Day N ursery , N ew nham Court, where his mother, Sheila, also works. Staff and parents have expressed shock and sor- row, and are planning some form of memorial in consulta- tion with his family. Andrew’s Facebook page has


been swamped with tributes. One of them said: “Andrew, you will never be alone as there will always be someone think- ing of you. To have touched so many people in such a short time is a testament to you.” Andrew leaves his parents


Steve and Sheila and brother Matt.


Lyn Martin LINDA “Lyn” Martin (81), of Neville Close, Penenden Heath, was known throughout the area from 42 years’ involvement in local football. The first female elected to the committee of the Kent County FA and a former secretary of Maidstone and Mid-Kent Sun- day League, Lyn was married to Ernie, a class one referee who served the game for 50 years. Lyn retired from football


work in 2005 but retained her passion for the game and – un- usually for someone so closely involved – had no affinity with any particular team. She was presented with a


KCFA long and meritorious service award. Her public service also in- cluded being a reading volun- teer at East Borough Primary School. The mother-of-two leaves her widower, children and three grandchildren.


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