Beryl Parker BERYL Edna Parker (88) lived in Durham Close, Shepway from October 1950. Born Beryl


Dixon in Trunch, Nor- folk, she met her future husband Sid- ney at her family’s vil- lage pub, while he was battle training nearby. They married in March 1945, when he returned from Germany, while serving with The Phan- toms (a secret intelligence regi- ment). Beryl served in the Women’s


Land Army during the war and moved to Maidstone with Sid- ney, who returned to his job as a carpenter with Clarke and Epps Builders. Beryl was mother to Roger


and Derek and worked for many years as cleaner at Shep- way Infant School, making many friends in the area. She and Sid enjoyed family holi- days in Norfolk, staying at their caravan at New Romney and several holidays to Austria. Widowed in 1996, Beryl re- mained close to friends and family and even flew to the south of France with her sister when in their mid 80s. In April 2012, Mayor Cllr Brian Mor- timer dropped in for tea to chat with Beryl, recognising her sta- tus as one of Shepway’s longest residents. Son Derek said: “My mother


was a lovely, caring and wel- coming lady with a ready smile, whomade friends easily, enjoyed her tea and chats and never lost her Norfolk accent.” Beryl leaves her sons, daugh- ters-in-law, three grandchildren and great-grandchildWilliam.


Edward Sales EDWARD “Ted” Sales (79), of Barming, lived locally for well over 50 years, originally in Yalding and – after marrying June in 1962 – the rest of the time in Barming. Originally from a large family


in Hampshire, he had worked as an apprentice carpenter and bicycle delivery boy. After na- tional service he made his way


We will remember


to Maidstone where he spent many years working at a gro- cery shop inWeek Street. In the last few years of his working life he drove a truck doing de- liveries from KCC’s depot at West Malling. His neighbour Duncan said:


“Ted and Junewere like an aunt and uncle to me, theywere fan- tastic neighbours. Tedwas a re- ally nice man who enjoyed his garden and watching football on the television. “June has been overwhelmed


with all the good wishes she has had and is thankful to everyone. Ted was liked by many people.” Ted leaves his wife and brother Arthur.


John Tolputt JOHN Henry Tolputt (83) who has died at the Pilgrims Way Nursing Home in Maidstone and formerly lived in Cow- drey Close, Fant, served the local com- munity as a borough councillor andmember of KCC. As a Labourmember of Maid-


stone Council, John served on committees for planning and transportation as well as the public appeals committee, the disabled advisory group and joint works committee. John was involved with the borough council from 1996 to 2000 and KCC from 2001 to 2005. His career until he took elected office involved working for KCC, for whom he pro- gressed through the ranks to be- come head of requisitions for the education department, based at Springfield Mill. Fellow Labour councillor Patrick Coates said: “John was a stickler for accuracy and worked exceptionally hard. He took the trouble to write per- sonally to people who con- tacted him. He was a very old school councillor who enjoyed meeting people and talking to them directly about issues.


“He had the ability to get on


well with people from all polit- ical parties and was very much aMaidstone person.” John wasmarried to Christine


for almost 47 years and was fa- ther to Mark.Mark Tolputt said: “My father was hard-working and conscientious. He was kind and generous to others and be- lieved strongly in the princi- ples of the Labour party. “We have been overwhelmed


by contacts from people whose lives he improved through his work. He was a loyal father and husband. He loved the Kent coast and had been a competi- tive oarsman in his younger days.” John, who was widowed in 2001, leaves his son.


Kathleen Skene KATHLEEN Skene (81), from Barming, was well known lo- cally due to her34years of service as a qualified li- brarian, work- ing mainly in the children’s section of Maidstone’s main library in St Faith’s Street. Kathleen was also a member


of the local soroptimists for a number of years. Born Kathleen Grace Flicker


in Fulham, London, she served in theWomen’s RoyalAuxiliary Air Force where she met her husband of over 50 years, Jim. The couple moved locally, Jim worked as a bus driver, pro- gressing to a senior role as in- spector, based in Gravesend. The couple raised sons Michael and Paul. Daughter-in- law Kim said: “My mother-in- law was the most wonderful person: gentle, kind and not in- clined to say a bad word about anyone. She enjoyed a robust discussion on politics and cur- rent affairs. “She absolutely loved books


and shared her passion for them in her work with the li- brary. She could get lost in her gardening as easily as in a book.” Son Michael added: “My mother was a really welcoming


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person, she was a quiet but de- vout Christianwho exemplified the values of love, compassion, forgiveness and charity and had the strength to carry them at all times. She was a builder of hearts who always tried to make things better. She never bore grudges or wished harm on anyone.” Laima, Michael’s partner,


said: “I am honoured to have knownMichael’s parents. Kath- leen was one of the kindest people I have ever met” Kathleen – whowas widowed


in January – leaves her sons and grandchildren Douglas, Alex, Amber, Aaron and Jake.


Wally Stiff WALTER “Wally” Stiff (96) lived in ParkWood for 35 years and before that in Waterlow Road. A local


man, he only left Maidstone for lengthy war service that saw him serve in the Burma cam- paign and also as a “desert rat” in North Africa. Wally saw action in both theatres and kept a suc- cinct diary that recorded his in- volvement in major battles, like the battle of Alexandria. Most of his post-war working


life took place as a product manager in the Danish Bacon warehouse in ParkWood. Married for 44 years to Doris,


Wally was father to Jean. When Jean tragically lost her first hus- band, he also became a father figure to his grandsons Michael and Paul.


Granddaughter Jaqueline


said: “My grandfather was the most giving and caring person you could meet. He was very family-oriented and was always helping others with handyman work, shopping and lots of other things. “He cared for my grand- motherwhen she had a massive stroke and he had the determi- nation and independence to live on his own and look after himself until he broke his hip this year. He was a wonderful father and grandfather.” Wally leaves his daughter,


three grandchildren Michael, Paul and Jaqueline and great- grandchildren Tiegan, Ethan, Ewan and Jake.


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