downsmail.co.uk “While at Kent County Council he formed


a jazz band called The Moonrakers, and played trombone. He loved big band jazz and singers like Ella Fitzgerald.” Malcolm leaves his wife and sons, David


and James. Children Paul and Victoria pre- deceased him.


Truda Bish


TRUDABish (87)was the wife of Donald Bish, who served as Rector ofWateringbury, Teston andWest Farleigh from 1979 until his retirement. She and Donald moved to Allington


where they became regularworshippers at St Nicholas’ Church. Truda, who came from aWelsh background,was a talented musician and singer with a fine alto voice and particular skill on piano, organ and violin. At about the same time as Donaldwas appointed to his rectorship, Truda had surgery to deal with two benign brain tumours, resulting in her suffering some disability for the rest of her life. Tributes paid since her death have spoken


of her positive aitude to life and the support she provided to Donald’swork. She died three days before her 88th birthday, and leaves her husband.


Vernon Baker


VERNON Baker (85) lived in Bearsted for 23 years and before that in Penenden Heath. Born nearWrotham, he moved to the Maidstone area as a child and beganwork as an apprentice mechanic at Mongers Garage, near the current Star Arcade. Vernonwas married to Joan for 59 years, and they had three children: Julie, Trevor and Sarah. He was a long-distance lorry driver,working for a number of local firms.


Joan said: “Vernon loved gardening and playing snooker.Hewas a keen follower of Formula One motor racing and whenwe were youngerwe oenwent to Brands Hatch.” Vernon leaves his wife, children and grandchildren, Annah, Rebecca, Katie, Lizzy, Cara, Elena, Emily and George.


DorothyMorgans


DOROTHYMorgans (92)was a local dance teacher who, with husband Oliver Leslie “Les”worked in many clubs and locations in and around Maidstone. The couple qualified as dance teachers


with the IDTAin 1974, and stayed in the area until Les’s death in 1994. Dorothywas mother to Ronald and Martin and had four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Aer Les’s death she met George Rust, a fellow dancer. Dorothy leaves George, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Bey Sweatman


BETTY Doris Sweatman (86), who lived in East Farleigh for 50 years,worked as a physiotherapist at Linton Hospital. She


moved to the area from Eltham with her husband John, a builder andwas mother to Heather and Amanda. DaughtersAmanda and Heather said:


“My motherwas a very gentle person, always smiling and a person who never said a bad thing about others. She loved the local countryside and walking, aswell as foreign trips to places like Kenya. “She had a passion


for the opera singing of Jose Carreras and


had seen him in concert a few times, including a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. She also aended a fundraising dinner where hewas a guest, to raise money for leukaemia research. “She loved wildlife and read many books


on the subject andwas a devoted grandmother.” Both Bey and Johnwere long serving members of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, helping with organised trips and fundraising. Bey – who lost her husband earlier this


year aer 59 years together – leaves her daughters and grandchildren Sarah, Chris, Aaron and Ma.


Gay Chaplin


GAY Chaplin (70) lived in Maidstone for 46 years, having moved toWeavering Street in 1968.


Born Gay Lloyd in Oxford, she grew up


andwas educated in St Albans, where she met her husband Mike. Theywere married in 1967, aer happy times together as art students in Brighton. Having achieved a National Diploma in design, followed by teacher training, Gay took up a post at


Southborough Girls School in Loose Road, Maidstone as a teacher of art, a subject she taught passionately and with great expertise. Aer 20 years at Southborough she


moved to Maidstone Grammar School, teaching graphics, design and English. Gay became awell-loved form tutor. In 1976 Gay and Mike moved to Orchard


Drive, offWeavering Street, where their family blossomed with the arrival of son Nick in 1977 and daughter Briony in 1980. Aswell as shaping the lives and futures of hundreds of students, Gay took an extensive interest in local life. Shewas involved in theWeavering Playgroup, the Weavering Revels, Grove Green Scout Group, Thurnham and Roseacre schools and local charitywork. In recent years, Gay cared for Bey, her


late mother, enabling Bey to live her last years at home in comfortable and loving surroundings. Gay is survived, and greatly missed, by husband Mike, children Nick and Briony, sister Glyn, nephew and niece John and Jenny, daughter-in-law Kirsten, son-in-law Keith and great-nephew Cathal. Donations, if desired, may be made online


for the Heart of Kent Hospice at www.justgiving.com/GayChaplin.


Patrick Rocke


PATRICK James Rocke was born in Derrew, County Galway, in December 1927, the mid- dle son of 13 siblings. He came to Snodland in 1947 and became an active member of St Francis Youth Club in Maidstone, where he metWinnie Gilllan, his wife for almost 60 years. Their two daughters, Maureen and Josephine, and six grandsons, Thomas, Robert, Mark, Neil,


Liam and Ryan, son-in-law Colm and daughter-in-law Andrea, still live in Maidstone. Aerworking in London for a number of


years, in 1958 Pat became caretaker at St Francis RC School, which became St Simon Stock School, and for 32 years hewas involved in all areas of the school and church community. His greatest lovewas his garden and he produced an abundance of tomatoes, vegetables and flowers, whichwould be gied to all. When he retired from Oakwood Park, he returned to his native Ireland. He died in May in Port Laois Hospital and


aer a service in his home in Rathdowney he was buried in the heart of his family’s community in Kiltormer. Pat will be fondly remembered by many friends, pupils and teachers, and is greatly loved and missed by his wifeWinnie and family in Ireland and Maidstone. He enjoyed receiving and reading news of Maidstone in the Downs Mail.


Bob Jeffrey


BOB Jeffrey (78) was a brave and talented goalkeeper for Maidstone United. His achievements included a courageous performance in the 1966 Kent Senior Cup final against Ramsgate, a game in which Bob broke his collarbone. He was replaced in goal but – in an era


before multiple substitutions – Bob insisted on playing outfield and succeeded in providing the assist that set up Derek Norton’s winning headed goal. The goal gave Maidstone victory in the game and – with the first leg ending in a 1-1 draw – ensured an aggregate victory of 4-3. Tributes to Bob, who was married to Phil


for 59 years and father to Debbie, Sharon and Michelle, have praised his loving nature with his family and the loyalty and friendship he showed to many. His best friend Les Apps said: “Bob and


I both played for Maidstone. He took over from DannyWilson and when we were together there and aerwards we had some great times. Bob was best man for both me and my brother and was just a smashing fellow. Everyone loved him.” Bob pursued a career as a local publican


and had spells running the Royal Paper Mill in Tovil, the Star and Garter in Tonbridge and the Cobdown Club in Dion. His Maidstone United career lasted over


10 years and included about 200 games. He was also a noted cricketer who played towards the top of the baing order for Dymchurch. Bob leaves his wife and daughters.


Maidstone East June 2014 51


Obituaries


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