downsmail.co.uk Joan Harris


JOAN Harris (90) lived inWillington Street, Maidstone, for 53 years. Her previous local homes include a family flat above a hairdressing salon in Knightrider Street, and Bower Street, where shewas born as Joan Holding. Educated locally, Joan’s various jobs includedwork at Alabaster Passmore and Sons print works in Tovil, where shewas mother of the chapel, and otherwork in the printing industry. Joan alsoworked at Trebor Sharps and had a number of cleaning jobs, includingwork for the Halifax Building Society in Middle Row, Maidstone. Joan’s first marriage produced son John and daughter Sally Anne, and with her husband of 50 years, engineering worker Colin Harris, she had son Kevin and daughter Diane. Kevin said: “My motherwas gregarious and


strong, a very spirited person.” Joan enjoyed spending time atWestborough


Working Men’s Club in the days when husband Colinwas on the commiee and had greatly enjoyed dancing at the club. Joan, whowas widowed in 2007, leaves her children, nine grandchildren, 16 great- grandchildren and other family members as far afield as Australia, South Africa and the USA.


Evelyn Simpson


EVELYN Simpson (93) lived at Stone House, Weavering Street, from 1955 to 2009, maintaining a tradition that has seen the house stay in her family since 1850. Born locally as


Evelyn Brook, she aended Maidstone Girls Grammar School and trained as a nurse, joining the Queen Alexandria Nursing Service and serving duringWorldWar II in North Africa and Belgium. During her duties


she nursed Dennis Jackson “Jack” Simpson of the Royal Engineers, and they married in 1945. Jack continued to serve in the Army until 1959 and seled with Evelyn at Weavering Street where heworked as managing director of the UK arm of a Swiss company,Wild Heerbrugg, atWalderslade. Evelyn returned toWeavering in 1955 to


live with her father, and brought up sons Christopher and Nicholas. Sheworked as a receptionist at the Yeoman Lane surgery in Bearsted from 1970 until retirement in the


mid-1980s. Son Nicholas said: “My motherwas described by a former vicar of Boxley as someone who ‘just got on with things without a fuss’. Shewas active in the local WI, including a spell as president. She ran a keep- fit class inWeavering Village Hall. “In fact, the hallwas built on land which


was part of the grounds of Stone House and given toWeavering by the family. My mother was also a regularworshipper at Boxley Church, involved in the local over 60s Club and lived independently until the age of 90.” Evelyn, whowas widowed in 1989, leaves


her sons, four grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. One of her grandsons now lives at Stone House.


PeterWard


PETERWard (68), of Madginford, Bearsted, le £500 in his will for his fellow members of Maidstone’s Prostate Cancer Support Group to go out and enjoy a lunch on him. Originally trained as an electrician, Peter


alsoworked as a photographer and eventually taught photography at Mid Kent College. He wasmarried but had no children. Peter Spearink, who knew PeterWard through the support group, said: “Peter had a really tough time but hewas a stoic person. He bore his illness with dignity and he did verywell, surviving 11 years aer a late diagnosis. The giwas a really kind gesture to the rest of us.”


Ann Putland


ANN Putland (74) lived in Harrietsham from 1965, with husband Dick. Shewas involved in many aspects of village


life and helped to found the local bowls club, aswell as playing tennis and badminton. Ann and Dickwere leading players and officers of Harrietsham Lawn Tennis Club and Annwas a multiple winner of the ladies championship. Annwas also a founder of Harrietsham’s


Fish Scheme, a community scheme founded in 1969 by churchgoers at St John the Baptist Church. It now brings in people from outside the church but remains true to its original principles. The scheme provides help including lis to hospital, publication of a monthly magazine andwelcoming visitors to the area. The Reverend Dr Dick Venn, of St John the


Baptist Church, said: “Annwas a faithful follower of Jesus who lived out her faith in positiveways.” Shewas widowed in 2003, and leaves her children, Paul and Stephanie, and four grandchildren.


Elaine Colle


ELAINE Colle (38) lived in Maidstone Road, Lenham for eight years. She died suddenly, as the result of a brain haemorrhage. Elaine moved to Lenham with husband


James just before the birth of their daughter Sophie (8). Elainewas also mother to Jack (5). Sheworked part-time at Lile Country Garden in Lenham andwas involved in a number of local activities, including the parish council and Lenham Focus magazine, which James edits. Tributes have been paid by friends, family, Elaine’s employers and other local organisations.


John Atherton


JOHN Harding Atherton (77), who has died in Honiton, Devon, spent 18 years in responsible roles within KCC’s education department. He served as area education officer from 1986, andwas promoted to become director of education for Mid Kent, before he retired in 1993. He grew up in


Devon, read English at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and qualified as a teacher. Heworked in


Hastings and Nairobi, Kenya before his move to Kent. John lived south of Maidstone with his wife Angela before moving to Chart Suon with partner Ann Kesteven. Ann said: “Johnwas an accomplished musician, a devoted vegan, a keen birdwatcher and an avid collector of books.” He leaves his partner,Ann.


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The Wake Company


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


www.dovesfunerals.co.uk 44 Maidstone East April 2014


The Wake Company will take away the burden of organisation of the wake, following the funeral of your loved one. Our director, Alexandra Brown, will calmly and unhurriedly guide you through this time and help you make a true celebration of a life.


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Obituaries


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