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downsmail.co.uk Nick Dean


NICK Dean (28), of Larkfield, fought a lengthy bale with cancer.Hewas first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when aged seven. Treatment drove the illness away, but further relapses at the ages of 13 and 15 meant Nick needed a bone marrow transplant when still a pupil at Maplesden Noakes School in Maidstone. The life- saving procedure took place on Nick’s 16th birthday and hewent on to live life to the full, andwork as a lifeguard at Larkfield Leisure Centre. Having been given a new lease of life


Nick had travelled to Australia, developed a passion for motorbikes, mastered rock climbing and tae kwondo, enjoyed scuba diving and made a 14,000 parachute jump from a plane. Hewas also a keen runner. Having started a degree in chemistry,


Nickwas due to graduate in June. Hewas discovered dead at home on February 16, two days before hewas due to undergo an MRI scan. Tests subsequently revealed that an undiagnosed tumour, whichwould have been inoperable, caused a stroke. AJustgiving page in Nick’s memory is raising funds for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust. Nick leaves his mother Annie, father Dave and sisters Kate and Roseanna.


Carol Crisp


CAROLCrisp (64), who lived near the Tonbridge Road for 30 years,waswell known locally as a therapist and counsellor, working locally in a range of caring capacities. Born Carol Paling


inWarwickshire, she worked in Canada before moving to the local area towork for KCC’s social services department. She also worked for the Relate counselling service. Carol took on more training in the area of


counselling and therapy andworked as a self-employed therapist. She also provided supervision for others


in her field and hadworked for many years as a foster carer for teenage girls. Over the years her clients included the likes of KCC and the prison service. Carolwas married to Peter, an electrical engineer, andwas mother to Stephen, Ruth andAmy. Peter said: “Carolwaswell respected by those who knew her and would do anything to help others. Caring and helpingwas a mission to her, but she always kept the capacity to enjoy simple things in life, like shopping and holidays. Shewas always a very positive person.” Carol leaves her husband, children and grandchildren Hannah and Luke.


Margaret Keane


MARGARET Keane (73) lived in Tovil for 40 years. Born MargaretWard in Dublin, she married Arthur Keane whose Army career meant they travelled theworld. Margaret, whowas widowed in 2000,


leaves four of her children – sons Arthur and Steven pre-deceased her – 12 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.


26 Malling March 2014 PeterHedgeland


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. Aer


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.


Bert Kitchenham BERTRAM “Bert” Kitchenham (76) lived in Senacre for 11 years, having previously lived for over 30 years in Hampshire Drive, Shepway. Born in the Laurels area of Tonbridge Road, Bert grew up locally and only le the area for national service for the Royal Engineers, with whom he served in Germany, Malta and Suez. Bertworked


locally for Reed’s paper mill andwent


on to a career driving lorries for haulage firms including Vidlers and Colin Ashby. His finalwork involved delivering medicines for Lloyd’s Pharmacy of Grove Green. Bertwas married to Jean for 53 years and


father to Steven, Barbie, Andrew “Butch” and Kevin. Jean Kitchenham said: “Bert was always joking and his illness didn’t stop him. He loved snooker, played regularly at Rileys on Stone Street and played darts with our son Steven. “He had travelled towatch the Snooker World Championship at the Crucible


Theatre in Sheffield.” Bert leaves his wife, children, nine grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.


Mick Ashby


MICK Ashby (62) of Sevenoakswaswell known for his four decades of involvement with Igtham Mote Football Club, a spell that included playing for the club, coaching and caretaking. Mick died as the result of an accident repairing storm damage on the roof of a house in Dion. Known to his many friends as “Munch,” because of the long lunches he enjoyed as an engineering apprentice, Mick started his sporting career playing rugby for Sevenoaks, but aer a knee injury he switched to football and became known in local leagues as a tough central defender. His coachingwork involved both Ightham Mote teams, but tributes to him have focused on his central role of encouraging young players and ensuring the transition from young teams to the adult sidesworkedwell at the club. Mick leaves his wife Jane, daughters Sarah, Jo and Natalie, and grandson Max.


Dave Thomas DAVE Thomas (55)waswell known as the licensee of the Bricklayers Arms in Larkfield. He hadworked in the pub trade for much of his life, running the Earl Grey in Gravesend for seven years, and then the New Bell Inn in Halling in 1994, which is now run by his son, James. Dave ran the Bricklayers Arms from 2009. Born in Luton, he


moved to Kent as a boy and hiswork


included running his motor parts business. He had a break from pub management aer running the Earl Grey, when he ran an inkjet cartridge business. Hewas father to Nicola and James. His wife Tracey said: “Everybody loved


Dave, hewas a bit of a joker and got onwell with everyone. He loved playing cards and his trips to casinos.Acroupier and roulee table had been organised at thewake aer his funeral – Davewould really have enjoyed that.” Dave leaves his wife, children and grandchildren Oliver and Mahew.


Serving the local community since 1985


The Doves Funerals team are proud to have served Kent for over 25 years. Our customer promise “Here for You” recognises your needs through our values: Trustworthy: delivering on our promises Respectful: in our treatment of you


Responsive: to your needs Accessible: to the local community Progressive: in our attitude to change For expert advice please contact a member of our team. We are here for you 24 hours a day, for whenever you need us.


Maidstone: 01622 688662 Larkfield: 01732 871188 Staplehurst: 01580 892125 Ashford: 01233 643000 Sittingbourne - Tel: 01795 431300


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Obituaries


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