Debbie Neave DOWNS Mail director Debbie Neave (51) lived in Madginford, Bearsted, for 31 years with her husband, Gary, a local plumber. Born Debo-


rah Bourne in Maidstone, she lived lo- cally


her


whole life, working in accounts for the Nestledown bed factory, Cigna Insurance and Barclays Bank before starting work from home as a childminder. In February 1999, Debbie be-


came the first person taken on by Downs Mail after Dennis Fowle and his daughter Claire Procter founded the paper. Debbie was mother to Daniel,


Jason and Andrew. She had bat- tled cancer for over nine years and had been given the all-clear from the condition, only for the illness to return 18 months ago. Debbie’s co-director and col- league, Claire Procter, said: “Debbie had incredible strength of character and such a positive attitude to beating her illness. “She always lived her life to


the full and continued to holi- day and have family days out that were so important to her. “She was like a mother to


some of our staff and was very supportive to all her colleagues and it is typical of her selfless nature that she volunteered as treasurer for Bearsted and Thurnham Carnival committee and did a vast amount of charity fundraising for causes that helped others. “Her own battle had given her


an insight into the way others suffer and her efforts for chari- ties like the Heart of Kent Hos- pice andMacmillan raised a lot of money. “Debbie was never one to complain. She loved her work and was in the office only four days before she died. She was proud to have been our first em- ployee and then a director of our company, and we have all felt her loss.” The funeral was held at St Nicholas’ Church, Otham. Deb- bie leaves her husband, sons and her mother.


We will remember


Ron Button RON Button (89) lived inMaid- stone from 1956, making a sig- nificant contribution to local life as sports groundsman at Mote Park, where he worked from 1956 until his retirement in 1987. Born in Tenterden, Ron served


in Nos. 5 and 82 RAF squadrons during the war.With his wife of 62 years, Merle, Ron raised two children, Linda and Duncan. Ron’s dedication to his work


at Mote Park was such that his children remember spending days of their school holidays in “Dad's Park”, helping to put out football nets and golf flags on Sundays and having toasted cheese sandwiches in front of the old stove in the golf hut. Ron’s coffin was driven through Mote Park on the morning of his funeral. On October 14, 1959, Ron


saved and resuscitated a three- year-old girl drowning in the lake at Mote Park, an action that earned him an award from the Royal Humane Society. His family said: “Ron was a gentleman, and a gentle man: quiet and unassuming, a tal- ented artist and very giving of himself and his time. He was a member of the Maidstone Area Archaeological Group, and en- joyed taking an active part in the work of the RAF Association.” A RAFA standard bearer at- tended Ron’s funeral. Ron leaves his wife, children and granddaughter Katy.


George Taylor A FORMER policeman and council worker who once lived at the Eastfield Residential Home in Sittingbourne Road has died, aged 105. George Taylor put his longevity down to good behav- iour, involvement in sport and avoiding alcohol. He never tasted beer. George’s police ca-


reerwith the Metropolitan force included attending a crowd crush disaster in an under- ground station during an air raid, when 173 people lost their lives. He subsequently worked for Gillingham Council. George was married to Violet


for over 70 years, until her death at the age of 95. He died at a nursing home in Sussex. George’s daughter, Ann, who lives in Detling, praised his “wonderful” qualities.


Peter Vowles PETER Vowles (86) lived in Pe- nenden Heath from 1970, mov- ing locally when his ca- reer in the paper indus- try took him to Swan Mill in Swanley. He spent


most of his working life in the industry, progressing to chief purchasing manager and company director at Swan Mill. Born and raised near Sitting- bourne and educated at Borden Grammar School, Peter’s work- ing life began with time in the Royal Marines; he worked for Kent Education Committee and went to work in the paper in- dustry after this. Peter married his wife of 41


years, Gwen, in 1950. The cou- ple raised Lorely, David and Mandy. David Vowles said: “My father led a full life, he played hockey into his late 40s for a works team. My mother died in 1991 and my father remained independent and was very proud of his family. “His knowledge was impres-


sive and he was able to answer all kinds of quiz questions.After being widowed, he met Audrey and they enjoyed cruises and a lot of good times.” Peter leaves his children, Au-


drey, eight grandchildren (one grandchild pre-deceased him), and two great-grandchildren.


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Reg Oriel REGINALD “Reg” Oriel (81) lived in Bearsted from 1960, moving from his native London after marrying his wife, Jackie. The couple


met when Jackie was working as a nurse in Mile End Hospital and Reg – origi- nally from Bethnal Green – was being treated for a broken hip. The couplemoved locally and


Reg began a career in transport, driving lorries for Charles Ark- coll’s, Marley Tiles and Lenham Storage. During Reg’s working life it was common for Marley and Lenham Storage drivers to


move between the firms. Reg eventually began working at Safeway’s warehouse in Ayles- ford, from where he retired. Reg was father to Kim, Lyn


and Ian. Jackie Oriel said: “Reg was a loving and devoted family man, a life-long Arsenal sup- porter who also supported our son as he played for a succes- sion of local football teams. He loved walking and bird watch- ing, both of which we could do locally. “Asaboyhehad metKing George, as the Queen’s father visited the bomb-damaged East End of London. There is a pho- tograph of Reg with the King.” Reg leaves his wife, children


and grandchildren Claire, Rachel, Jo, Kirsty, Kelly, Ryan and Nathan.


John Thirkell JOHN Thirkell (87), of Haste Hill


Road, Boughton


Monchelsea, was known locally from his years as secretary of the Kent Friendly Society and his long association with Linton Park Cricket Club. Starting in 1943, he played for


the club for 35 seasons, 25 of them as captain, scoring 17,661 runs in 850 innings, taking 431 wickets and making 360 catches. He also served the club as secretary and was closely in- volved on the two occasions the club played at Lords and won the Village Cup. After retirement from club ac- tivities in 2005, he still travelled to matches and it was only fail- ing eyesight in recent years that stopped him being involved. Born at Charlton Farm, John


lived locally throughout his life. He served in the RAF just after the war, but returned to work lo- cally. He was married for 60 years to Nancy, who died in 2011, and was father to Nigel, Tim and Simon. Nigel is the current club sec-


retary at Linton Park and three of John’s grandchildren play for the club. Three other grandchil- dren have also been involved with the club. Nigel Thirkell said: “My fa-


ther loved cricket and was to- tally involved with Linton Park Cricket Club. He is the only per- son in their history to be ap- pointed as life vice-president. He was very much respected in local cricket.” John leaves his sons and seven grandchildren.


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