downsmail.co.uk PeggyMaskell


MARGARET “Peggy” Maskell (87) lived locally for more than 65 years, moving to the area from north-west Kent where she was brought up. She seled locally in Paradise Row, Maidstone – now the site of a car park – and moved in 1960 to the Foster Clark estate with husband Clem, who worked for Corbin & Sons in supervision and management in the building industry. Together they raised


children Margaret and David. Daughter Margaret said: “My mother


was always bubbly and friendly and very sociable. Mum and Dad were involved over the years with the Civil Defence Club and Aylesford Working Men’s Club.” Peggy, who was widowed 18 years ago,


eventually left the Foster Clark estate to live with her son and family. She leaves her children and grandchildren Vikki, Daniel, Jayne, Steve and Anna.


Barry Smith


BARRY Smith, from Maidstone was a noted local cricketer who played throughout his life and was instrumental in promoting the interests of older players of the game. He was a founder of the county championship for players in their 60s and 70s and played as wicket keeper for Kent’s senior side in his 70s. Married for almost 48 years to Jean,


Barry was father to Hayley and Tracey. Tributes have been paid by many, including his fellow cricketers.


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 worked as a travelling sales representative. Shirley worked for Novello’s music publishing business and Buerworths 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,


30 Malling January 2015


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.


MargaretWatson MARGARETWatson (70) lived locally for more than 35 years, the last seven in Allington. She was known locally for her years of work as a


physiotherapist specialising in work linked to oncology, working at Maidstone Hospital and in other locations, including Maidstone Prison. Born Margaret


Benenden and Staplehurst areas. She was a children’s nanny and housekeeper before marrying Edward “Ted” Morgan in 1943. They raised daughters Liz and Jill and ran a poultry farm. Joyce – who was widowed in 1983 – leaves her daughters, grandchildren Claire and Alexander and great-grandchildren Daniel and Beth.


Bill King


LOCAL landlord Bill King (69) ran the King’s Head pub in Suon Valence for many years. A larger-than-life character, Bill was also known outside the village for dressing up for festivals in Medway as the Dickens character Bill Sikes with his English bull terrier, Bulls Eye, by his side. Bill had served as chairman of the


Medway Licensed Victuallers Association. He was landlord of the King’s Head for about six years and leaves his wife, Margaret, sons Terry and Alan, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.


Kemp in Surbiton she Rita Cracknell


grew up near Richmond Park and trained at Roehampton as a physiotherapist after leaving school. Margaret raised a family and continued working in Surrey until her move to Maidstone. Husband Robert said: “Margaret was known as a calm and unflappable person who had many talents. She played violin and flute and had a beautiful singing voice. She was a member of Rochester Cathedral Choir and had a very strong Christian faith, aending the Vines Church in Boughton Lane for many years. “In her youth she won medals for swimming and she also enjoyed surfing. She had a passion for children and often babysat. Margaret leaves her husband and family.


JoyceMorgan


JOYCE Morgan (98) of Charlton Lane, West Farleigh died on New Year’s Day, three days before her 99th birthday. She had lived in


West Farleigh since 1936 having spent her early years in the


RITA Cracknell (79), who lived with husband Graham in Mill Lane,Wateringbury, died as the result of a road accident. Rita was a long-term member of


Wateringbury Local History society and a noted bridge player. She spent much of her career in the fashion industry, working for 20 years in Eve’s ladies boutique inWest Malling High Street. Rita’s friend and fellow member of


Wateringbury Local History Society, Ted Bates, said: “She was a lovely person and well-loved in the area. She will be very much missed. I knew her from years ago when she worked in Blakes, a fashion store at the top of the High Street in Maidstone. She worked in the fashion business for many years.” Deteriorating sight had stopped Rita driving and she was a passenger in a car that was involved in a collision in Paddock Wood in November last year. Despite being moved to a hospital in London, Rita died a few days later.


Dolly Papworth


THE death was announced of Mary Jane “Dolly” Papworth (92). Dolly was worked at Larkfield Bakery, Martin Square.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com


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