downsmail.co.uk Charles Lovell


CHARLES Lovell OBE (91), who died after a fall at his Larkfield home, was a noted union leader with a national profile. He served as General Secretary of the


Plumbers Trades Union from 1966, continuing as national secretary after its merger with the electricians’ union in 1968 to form the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union. He retired from this post in 1987. He was noted in an often fractious era


for industrial relations for having achieved a great deal without ever calling a national strike.


Charles’ career was aided by consistent studying at night classes. He served as a shipbuilder during WorldWar II and in 1947 he became an industrial plumber, a post that brought about greater union involvement and a rapid advancement through the union ranks. He progressed to becoming a local councillor and eventually to full-time union work. His work included contributing to setting up pension schemes and in 1979 he was awarded an OBE. Charles also served for many years on National Economic Development Organisations and on Seeboard as a non-executive member. He had lived in Larkfield since 1984, and


was central to the founding of the Larkfield Active Retirement Association. He also became a noted and successful indoor bowler. Charles, who was widowed eight years


ago, leaves five children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.


Shirley Town


SHIRLEY Town (80) had lived inWest Malling since 2013, after living in Borough Green for 51 years. Born as ShirleyWeedon in Croydon, she


moved to Loose as a girl and was educated in the local primary school and at Maidstone Technical School for girls. Shirley began work


as an apprentice hairdresser at Prunella’s on Bank Street (there is still a hair and beauty business on the site),


and married husband Peter. The couple eventually moved to London, where Peter served in the Metropolitan Police before moving back to the local area where he


Communication problems


Dear Sir – The facilities at TunbridgeWells Hospital, in Pembury, are superb but there is a serious communication problem caused by the facilities. My wife spent three weeks in Pembury in


2012 in an en-suite room with helpful friendly staff who responded promptly to calls for help – but unfortunately I was unable to find what was wrong with her. Nursing staff were busy dealing with patients in their rooms so no one was available to talk to. I was reduced to standing in the corridor and grabbing a passing nurse or doctor to ask questions – which they usually could not answer as


30 Malling November 2014


worked as a travelling sales rep. Shirley worked for Novello’s music publishing business and Butterworths legal book business. She was mother to Sara and Louise. Louise said: “My mother was very musical and sang with Kemsing Singers, who performed locally and counted television personality Richard Stilgoe among their membership. “She had an enquiring mind and knew a


lot about history. She also loved gardening. During her years of local work, she became a mother figure and agony aunt to lots of her workmates. She always kept a positive outlook and had a joy for life. She even managed to find happiness and contentment in her final days in the Heart of Kent Hospice. “She travelled widely and had been all around the world, visiting New Zealand as well as China and South Africa.” Shirley leaves her husband of 58 years and her daughters.


Kathleen Daniel KATHLEEN “Kassie” Daniel (94) lived in Teston for 24 years, having previously lived in London, Surrey and near Ash. Born Kathleen Godsave in London, she


had worked during the war as secretary to the manager of Deptford Power Station, a job that meant turning up for work even when bombing raids were possible. Her son Nick said: “My mother could remember doing shorthand under her desk to avoid falling plaster and once looked out of the window to see a Stuka aircraft fly past.” Kassie was married to Chris Daniel for


almost 60 years, returning to work for the family paper business, Chris Daniel Ltd, when Nick was about six years old. The move to Teston involved a major


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downsizing, leaving behind a former coach house with four-and-a-half acres of ground. Nick said: “My parents went out a lot, my father was involved in shooting and game-keeping and my mother went along, taking their spaniel. She had many friends in the area and was driving until she was 86. She was very resilient, always smiling and happy. Right up to the very end of her life she was never the kind of person to complain. One of her neighbours described her as a ‘total lady’.” Kassie, who was widowed in 2005,


leaves her son, grandsons Gavin, Lee and Scott and great-grandchildren Austin, Zoey and Jacob.


Margaret Capie


MARGARET “Peggy” Capie (43) lived all her life in Larkfield, and married Paul Capie. Born Margaret Hurson to an Irish family, Peggy attended St Simon Stock School and worked locally as a nanny. She and Paul were married on November 12, 1988, the day after Peggy’s 18th birthday. The couple raised daughters Alex and Dee, with Paul


working as a heating engineer and Peggy working locally. Paul said: “Peggy loved boot fairs, reading novels and walking our dog. People will remember her as a scatty and loveable character who was devoted to her children and grandchildren.” Peggy leaves her husband, daughters


and grandchildren Leah, Danny and Charlie.


Serving the local community since 1985


The Doves Funerals team are proud to have served Kent for over 25 years. Our customer promise “Here for You” recognises your needs through our values: Trustworthy: delivering on our promises Respectful: in our treatment of you


Responsive: to your needs Accessible: to the local community Progressive: in our attitude to change For expert advice please contact a member of our team. We are here for you 24 hours a day, for whenever you need us.


Maidstone: 01622 688662 Larkfield: 01732 871188 Staplehurst: 01580 892125 Ashford: 01233 643000 Sittingbourne - Tel: 01795 431300


www.dovesfunerals.co.uk


they were in a hurry dealing with a patient. I only once talked to a doctor after admission, who too was in a hurry dealing with another patient. My wife was discharged after three


weeks but I still had no idea of her problem, except that it involved a stomach operation, nor of the possibility of a pulmonary embolism from which she died suddenly three days later. It was a traumatic, unexpected experience for us. I did report the problem via PALS, who admitted the problem, but I have never had a further response. In Maidstone Hospital there is always someone to talk to on the wards. Nelson Bowker, Kingswood


Death of cat so upseing


Dear Sir – I have been very upset to read in Town Talk (October) about the treatment of our much loved village cat, Harry. I have a cat of my own so I can understand how his owner must be feeling. The people who did


this must be found as soon as possible. How are they treating their own dogs? I hope the


RSPCA have been informed. P Dennis, Taylor Road, Snodland


Obituaries


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