downsmail.co.uk Karren Amey


KARRENAmey (50), who has died in Northamptonshire, lived locally until 1996. Born KarrenWright, she aended Senacre School, where she met her husband of 28 years, Martin. Karren had lived in Suon Valence and Senacre, her homes with Martin included Shipley Court,Wya Street and Penenden Heath.


Karren’s jobs in the area includedwork


at the Leonard Cheshire Home in Mote Park and cleaning at Maidstone Hospital and Penenden Heath School. Shewas mother to Sian and Leigh. The family moved in 1996 when Martin’s


job in HGV fiing took them to Northamptonshire. Karren worked in learning support in schools in Northampton. Martin Amey said: “Karren and I did


everything together, her familywas her life. Shewas first diagnosed with cancer 13 years ago and managed to overcome that, going back to loving life and always having fun. Shewas outgoing and lively, andwas a loving grandmother to her three grandchildren.” Karren leaves her husband, children and grandchildren Ryan, Callum and Lewis.


JohnHodges


JOHN Hodges (88) lived locally during and aerWorldWar II before embarking on a career in high-end engineering. Hewas extremely lucky during the war, returning home to get an aircra identification book which meant him arriving later than usual to hiswork as a li boy at GH Leavey department store in Mill Street, Maidstone. The shop had been bombed and Johnwould have been inside had he arrived, as usual, before 9am. Born in Canada, John and his family returned to Kent and, for a time, lived in Church Street, Tovil. John’s warwork included serving in the Air Training Corps and running messages for the civil defence section. He returned to Canada and joined the


Royal Canadian Air Force, but the war ended before he could see active service. Johnworked for Tilling-Stevens in Maidstone, where he served an apprenticeship, and got involved in racing motorcycles and cars. He moved to Birmingham where he


loved his dream job,working on the Austin


Healy 100S, a car which broke theworld speed record. John later moved into engine testing for rockets, includingwork on the Blue Steel nuclear missile and Black Knight space rocket.


Len Reader


LEONARD “Len” Reader (83) lived in the Tonbridge Road area for around 45 years. He came to the area as a young boy and grew up on Beaumont Road, Fant attending Westborough School. He met his wife of 63 years, Evelyn,


while doing national service for the Royal Marines in Devon. The couple began their married life in Len’s family home in Beaumont Road. Len’s local employment includedwork as


a toolmaker with KES in Tovil and a long spellworking for Kimberley Clark, from where he retired 20 years ago. Lenwas a founder member of the Kimberley Clark Bowls Club and an avid player. Evelyn Reader said: “Lenwas a lovely


gentle man who got on with everyone. The chapelwas full for his funeral, andwe even had a card from the staff at the Sainsbury’s coffee shop where Len oen had a drink. “People have said they will remember


him as a smiley man. Lenwas always smartly turned out, and really well liked.” Len, whowas the youngest, and the last survivor of eight children, leaves Evelyn.


Barry Lidiard


MAIDSTONE taxi driver Barry Lidiard (66) drove locally for 23 years. Barry lived in York Road for 32 years and


had recently moved to Siingbourne. Friends and family have spoken about how Barry’s workwas his life. Prior to being a taxi driver, working mainly from Maidstone East station, he had been a private hire operator. Hewas father to Sarah, Katherine and Jason. Barry’s family invited his fellow drivers to


aend his funeral andwere amazed when a cortege of 30 taxis passed through Maidstone, passing Barry’s former home in York Road.


John Atherton


JOHN Harding Atherton (77), who died in Honiton, Devon,waswell known in the area aer 18 years in responsible roles within KCC’s education department. He served as area education officer from


1986, andwas promoted to director of education for Mid Kent, a post from which he retired in 1993. Born in Devonport, Plymouth, he grew there andwas exempted from national


service on medical grounds. He read English at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and later qualified as a teacher. Heworked as a teacher in Hastings and Nairobi, Kenya, before taking roles in


educational administration in Essex and Sussex prior to his move to the local area. John lived south of Maidstone with his wife Angela before moving on his own to Chart Suon. He seled in the village with partner Ann Kesteven. Ann said: “Johnwas a very private man


whowas good at geing away from the pressures of hiswork, oen by geing away from Kent atweekends. “Hewas an accomplished musician who


played violin, piano and lute. He rejoined the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra aer we moved to the west country in the mid- 1990s, having previously been in that orchestra as a youngster. Johnwas very principled, a devoted vegan, a keen birdwatcher and an avid collector of books.” John leaves his partner, Ann.


George Bernard Smith


GEORGE Bernard Smith (81) ofWest Kingsdownwas the founder of the Manor Heating Company, a Maidstone business based that installed heating systems and provide plumbing services, from the mid- sixties to the 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 as his secretary, he worked across Kent, establishing a reputation for quality, reliability and value for money, with clients including the gas board and local councils. George’s family lived in the home he


built after buying 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


Serving the local community since 1985


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Obituaries


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