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Obituaries


downsmail.co.uk George Bernard Smith


GEORGE Bernard Smith (81) ofWest Kingsdown was known locally as the founder of the Manor Heating Company, a business based in Maidstone that worked to install heating systems and provide plumbing services, from the mid-sixties to late-eighties. Born and raised in


south east London, George completed his national service in North Africa before returning to work.With wife Irene he raised children Gillian, Ian and Graham.


Having founded his business in 1965,


with Irene working in a secretarial role, he worked solidly around Kent, establishing a reputation for quality, reliability and value for money, doing much work for large organisations like the Gas Board and local councils. George’s family lived in the home he


built after purchasing land inWest Kingsdown. Son Graham said: “My father loved shooting, and was a member of the Bearsted and Thurnham Rifle and Pistol Club. He had a passion for knowledge aboutWorldWar II, in which he lost an elder brother, and read many books on the subject. “He will be remembered as someone


who spoke his mind, was known for straight talking and was relied on when people wanted a job done well. He was also a keen golfer who played at Sittingbourne and a freemason of many years standing who had been granted the freedom of the City of London.” George leaves Irene, his three children and seven grandchildren.


PatWilson PATWilson (97), who lived in the Medway area, made a massive contribution to local life with her tireless campaigning for local footpaths over 50 years. The work started when a path near Scratch Arse Corner, Meopham, was blocked in 1961 and ended with Pat serving as national vice-president of the Open Spaces Society. Born in Bristol,


Pat’s life included a trip to Berlin during the 1936 Olympics


and three years living in a timber camp in British Honduras. Pat’s campaigning for footpaths came


after lobbying parliament on another matter, making safety glass mandatory in cars, after her elder daughter came close to death in a car accident. Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the


Open Spaces Society said: “Pat was a legend but also a reality. She was feisty and determined and tirelessly hard- working to the very end.” Pat was also notable for her willingness to embrace and effectively use new information technology up to the end of her life.


32 Malling April 2014


Pat, who was widowed, leaves daughters Hilary and Jo and granddaughters Emma and Laura


Megan Fox


MEGAN Fox (17) of Leybourne died in King’s College Hospital after battling a brain tumour diagnosed in 2013. The condition arose after Megan was diagnosed in July of last year with Lynch syndrome, a condition that meant it was likely she would be vulnerable to cancer. Her family: father Chris, mother Lucy and sister Jess, were with her in hospital. The teenager, who dreamed of becoming a midwife, has been praised on a rapidly growing Facebook tribute page. Her parents, who own Mrs B’s Pre-School and Out of School Club inWest Malling are planning to establish a trust in her memory to help others cope with life threatening conditions.


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 attended Maidstone Girls’ Grammar School and trained as a nurse, joining the Queen Alexandria Nursing Service, 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 settled with Evelyn atWeavering Street where he worked 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. She worked as a receptionist at the Yeoman Lane surgery in Bearsted from 1970 until retirement in the mid-1980s. Son Nicholas said: “My mother was described by a former vicar of Boxley as someone who ‘just got on with things without a fuss’. She was active in the local WI, including a spell as president. She ran a keep-fit class inWeavering Village Hall. “In fact, the hall was built on land which


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


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


David Shrubsole


DAVID Shrubsole (70) lived for 35 years in Vicarage Lane, East Farleigh. His previous homes includedWrotham and Oakwood Farm, where he spent his formative years, as his father worked on the farm. David spent his working life in practical jobs, running Bridge Motors, which


PeterWard


PETERWard (68), of Madginford, Bearsted, left £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


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


Arthur Taylor


ARTHUR Taylor (75) lived the final 10 years of his life in Coxheath. He lived in the area all his life apart from his national service in the Royal Fusiliers, which took him abroad including time in Malta and Bahrain. Arthur lived much


of his life in Maidstone and worked as a labourer, including a lengthy spell with the construction firm of Bartholemew, where one contract he worked in involved


laying the gas pipes for the shopping centre now known as The Mall. Arthur finished his working life in the employment of Maidstone Council. While working at Turkey Mill, Arthur met


Ellen, who was to be his wife of 52 years. The couple raised Anne, Anthony and Deborah. Anne said: “My father was a loving and warm family man who could be really entertaining and funny. “He loved making people laugh and was


really close to his grandchildren. He loved gardening and was never happier than when he was spending time at home with his family.” Arthur leaves his wife, children and grandchildren Charlotte, Alex, Elisha, Jake, Katy and Sophie.


specialised in conversions and makeovers for cars, often making drastic and very individual modifications to vehicles that went on to become noted sights on local roads.


David’s other work included spells


working on motorcycles for a number of local companies, crane driving for Olders of Dean Street and working for British Rail. He finished his working life with employment as a mobile welder. David was married to Hazel for 47 years


and father to Lesa, Robin, Damien and David. Hazel said: “David enjoyed his work; there


was no dividing line between what he liked and what he did for a living. He was happiest in his shed or on the allotment. “David had the ability to listen to people’s


ideas about a car, sketch them out and get it right first time. He developed his skills by doing the work and could turn his hand to anything.” David leaves his wife, children and 16 grandchildren.


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