downsmail.co.uk Ann Cooper
ANN Gillian Cooper (74) lived in Loose for 52 years and in the Maidstone area for her whole life. Born Ann Ellison, the daughter of baker Frank Ellison, in Headcorn, she pursued a nursing career, spending 50 years in the profession. Ann trained at Maidstone’s old Ophthalmic Hospital and went on to work at theWest Kent
Hospital in Marsham Street before moving to the then new hospital in Barming, where she worked as a theatre sister and was involved in pioneering work with the hospital’s leading surgeons. Ann finished her working life at the Alexandra Hospital in Chatham. She was married for 40 years to Raymond “Spencer” Cooper, who worked for the gas board. The couple were very keen gardeners who planted up hanging baskets to give to others. They raised children Ruth and Bryan. Son-in-law Kevin said: “My mother-in-law had a strong work ethic and very professional standards. She could be relied on as a child carer just as much as she could be relied on as a nurse.With Spencer she really had green fingers and in some years they made 200 hanging baskets.” Ann, who was widowed 13 years ago,
leaves her children and grandchildren Amber, Spencer, Joseph, James, Kurtis and Daniel.
Janice Collins
JANICE Elaine Collins (60) lived in Loose for 23 years, was born in Borden, Sitting- bourne, and grew up in Maidstone. She worked for many years in the insurance business as a loss adjuster and her employers included Insurance North America, Commercial Union and Royal Sun Alliance. Janice was a former competitive swimmer who had
represented Maidstone, Kent and the Southern Counties. She was also a swimming instructor for the Maidstone Swimming Club. Her son Michael said: “My mother was
a strong person who always knew what was best. She was very supportive, independent and a capable single parent who always put me first and worked extremely hard to provide me with the best start in life.” Janice battled cancer for seven years and supported the PeggyWood Foundation (a local cancer charity). Janice leaves her son Michael, sister
Teresa and parents Ernest and Betty. Her first grandchild is due in October.
Ernest Paine
ERNEST “Jim” Paine (95) lived in East Farleigh from 1953, having previously been in the London area.
He became well- known locally as the founder of a family- run boatyard, Bridge Boat Services. The youngest of
nine children, his wartime service was spent in the RAF, first as an armourer, then in bomb
disposal. He married Kay in 1941 and the couple raised three children. The boat business began with the hiring
of skiffs and canoes and later expanded into cabin cruisers before the full boatyard was established. The business continues under the new ownership of Martin Clifton, Jim's son-in-law. His daughters, Judith and Sheila said:
“Our father was independent, honest and a popular man. He was heavily involved in the local community, having been a member of the parish council, an inspector with the special police force, and involved with the Masonic Lodge for almost 50 years.” Jim, who was widowed in 2001, leaves
his children, 10 grandchildren and four great-granchildren.
Mark Geadah
MARK Geadah (43), who was found dead at his home in Beech Drive, Allington, had been headmaster of Allington Primary School for nine years. The inspirational teacher was highly admired by parents and had been called on to head up Aylesford Primary School as well as Allington,
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such was the regard for his professional skills. Mr Geadah first joined Allington
Primary School as deputy head in September 2002, earning promotion to the headship in September 2005. Under his leadership the school earned an outstanding rating from Ofsted in 2008, which it still holds. An online tribute page had more than
400 members, many of whom chose to change their profile pictures to the Allington Primary School badge. Cllr Dan Daley said: “All who knew
Mark will recognise now the desperate loss of a truly inspirational teacher – one who genuinely engaged with his pupils and whose work was rewarded by the astonishing year-on-year results of this delightful scene of early years' learning. Rest in Peace Mark. Memory of your work will long be held by those who enjoyed it.”
The school’s chairman of governors Dr
Nigel Smetham said Mr Geadah was "an inspirational headteacher, respected colleague and friend". Tina Lewis-Rendle, who has a daughter at Allington, said Mr Geadah “brought and gave so much to the school and my little girl …an inspiration.” Mark leaves his wife Lesley and two
sons. Cyril Mecoy
CYRIL Mecoy (86) spent his entire career on the same site where he went to school. Cyril, who lived in Maidstone, attended
St Paul’s School in Fisher Street, Maidstone. Shortly before he was due to finish his ed- ucation the sitewas sold toHGoodsell and after finishing school Cyril moved back to the site to start work as an apprentice car- penter with Goodsell’s in December 1941. This began a working relationship that
was to last more than 70 unbroken years. The firm became H Goodsell and Son in 1957. On retirement, Cyril returned to the firm in a part-time role and it was only when health problems intervened in 2013 that he was unable to continue working. He stopped work earlier this year. John Goodsell, of H Goodsell and Son, said: “Cyrilwas a loyal member of our staff who was reluctant to accept public recognition of his very many years’ association with the company.”
Lilian May Brown
THE death was announced in east Yorkshire of former Maidstone resident Lillian May Brown (94). Lillian was the widow of Ernest Brown
and mother to Ron and Sandra (who pre- deceased her mother). Lillian leaves her son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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Obituaries
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