downsmail.co.uk Joan Armstrong
JOAN Armstrong (85) lived for 27 years in East Farleigh. Born JoanWise in Faversham, she had lived in her native town,working in a dairy, and later moved to Chatham, where sheworked assembling television sets for Marconi’s. Married to Roy, Joan retired to East Farleigh where she lived near her niece and niece’s husband. Her niece Annee Gillard said: “Joanwas a very loyal person; if shewas your friend, shewas your friend for life. She and Roy lovedwalking by the river and shewould sometimes sit andwatch him fishing. “Joan’s big passionwas dancing and she loved going to dances at the social club on Hartridge Farm. She kept going there aer Roy’s death and her family and friends played a bigger part in her life then.” Joan, whowas widowed eight years ago, leaves one surviving sister, a brother-in- law, her nieces and her many friends.
Peter Hedgeland
PETER Hedgeland (89) of Tonbridge Road, Maidstonewas a commercial photographer in Maidstone for most of hisworking life. He served on the photography national council andwas Kent regional president. An old boy of Maidstone Grammar School, he joined The Buffs in 1941. Hewas commissioned and served with the 8th Army in Egypt, Italy and Austria andwas twice injured. Aer his demob as a captain he joined the family photography business.
He became very active in Maidstone life, first as a member of Round Table for 12 years and then joining the Rotary Club of Maidstone 56 years ago. Hewas club secretary, president in 1973/4 and
represented the club at 23 district conferences and seven national conferences. Hewas honoured by Rotary with a Paul Harris award in 1997 andwas a director of Maidstone Utd FC in the difficult years that led to the loss of the London Road ground. Awidower since the death of Margaret, he is survived by his daughter.
Con Lewis
THE village of East Farleigh lost its oldest resident with the death of Con Lewis, who celebrated her 100th birthday last spring at her coage home in The Priory. Aproudly independent lady, she will be best remembered as a hairdresser at Prunella’s in Bank Street, Maidstone, until she retired at 65. Alifelong resident of the Maidstone area, she had many
memories of her early years when she lived in the family home at Gibraltar House by the River Medway in Sandling. She recalled horse-drawn barges carrying their cargoes along the banks. She also told of celebrations at the end ofWorldWar I.
Margaret Keane
MARGARET Keane (73) lived in Tovil for 40 years. Born MargaretWard in Dublin, she met and married Arthur Keane and spent years moving around the world as he pursued an Army career. Margaret lived in locations that included Manchester, Malta, United States and Canada. When Arthur le the Army the family seled in Maidstone, where Arthurworked locally, including a spell at Reed’s paper mill in Tovil. Margaret did cleaning and
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receptionwork, but her main responsibility was to her family. Margaretwas mother to Andrew, Arthur, Patrick, Anthony, Margaret and Steven. Son Anthony said: “My motherwas a strong matriarchal figure, very much the head of the family, she cared for us all and made surewewere alwayswell looked aer. “Shewas a really good mother. Shewas also involved with St Francis’ Catholic Church inWeek Street and got much more closely involved in her later years. Shewas one of 11 children.” Margaret, whowas widowed in 2000, leaves four of her children – sons Arthur and Steven pre-deceased her. She also leaves 12 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.
Sylvia Cuthbert
SYLVIA Jane Relton Cuthbert (76), of Beaconsfield Road,was a founding member of Tovil Parish Council in 1987, having moved to the area from Yalding. Originally from York, shewas an occupational therapist whoworked at Oakwood Hospital. Sylvia sat on Tovil Parish Council for three periods during her life, only retiring when ill health intervened. The council held a minute’s silence in her memory. Tovil Parish Council chairman, Rev Chris Morgan-Jones, said: “Sylvia did a huge amount for Tovil andwas instrumental in seing up this council…shewas very involved in drawing up the community plan, for whichwe owe her a great debt.” Sylvia’s friend and fellow parish councillor Suzy Neal said: “Sylviawas a really nice woman who fought the local corner on a number of issues.” Sylviawas married to Geoffrey – an architect – andwas mother to four daughters and one son. She leaves her husband, children and grandchildren.
Avril Mitchell
AVRIL Mitchell (68), who lived for 22 years inWateringbury, was an accounts clerk and athlete who completed 24 marathons. BornAvril Heseltine in Halifax, Yorkshire, she married accountant Peter. The couple raised children Gareth and Amanda and moved toWateringbury with Peter’s work with an alarms company. Avrilworked for local organisations including Kimberly Clark, and joined PaddockWood Athletics Club. Peter said: “Avrilwas an ebullient, amusing and super woman. Shewas a dedicated runner; in addition to her marathons, run from 1987 to 2007,we have around 150 medals from other runs.” Avril leaves her husband, children and granddaughters Grace and Olivia.
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Obituaries
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