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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, and 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. Karrenworked 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.


George Bernard Smith


GEORGE Bernard Smith (81), ofWest Kingsdown,was the founder of the Manor Heating Company, a Maidstone based business that installed heating systems and provided 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 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


50 Maidstone East May 2014 and seven grandchildren.


PatWilson PATWilson (97) made a massive contribu- tion to local life with her tireless campaign- ing 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 realist. 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. Pat, who lived in the Medway area and


was widowed, leaves daughters Hilary and Jo and granddaughters Emma and Laura.


John Hodges


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 one day to get an aircra identification book, which meant he arrived later than usual forwork 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


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returned to Kent and, for a time, lived in Church Street, Tovil. John’swarwork 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 thewar 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 the world speed record. John later moved into engine testing for rockets, includingwork on the Blue Steel nuclear missile and Black Knight space rocket.


Geoffrey Sidaway


ARCHDEACON Geoffrey Sidaway (71) spent a career in holy orders, becoming Archdeacon of Gloucester in 2000, but never lost his passion for working as a parish priest. His contribution to


local life was immense, serving at St Martins Church, Shepway from 1977 to 1986, and, until 2000, at Holy Cross Church in Bearsted. He was central to forging links


between local churches of every denomination and finding ways to reach out into the local community. The visit of the then Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, to Bearsted was one notable event organised by Geoffrey. He was made an Honorary Canon of Canterbury in 1994. Born in Barrow-in-Furness, he followed


his calling into the church from school and served in Derbyshire before coming to Kent. Married for 44 years to Margaret, Geoffrey was father to Mark, Clare and Paul.


Daughter Clare said: “My father remained a parish priest at heart and when he retired as Archdeacon in 2012 he went back to serving local parishes. He loved people, whether it was preaching to thousands or chatting with parents at a toddler group. “His legacy in Bearsted continues in the coming together of different denominational churches and in the many memories people hold. His fundraising for the Holy Cross Church extension included an infamous hot air balloon ride from the village green that landed in a traveller’s field in Medway where he had a cheerful talk with the locals. “That kind of event is typical of his


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Obituaries


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