downsmail.co.uk AnnHonnor


THE funeral has taken place ofAnn Honnor, formerly ofWateringbury. Alocal teacher andwell-known in the village,Ann lived locally with husband Roy and sons Simon and Andrew.Ann moved to Woking, Surrey to be near family when her health began to fail and her funeralwas held near her new home, though a memorial service took place inWateringbury. Ann’s asheswere interred in the Honnor


family plot in Maidstone. The familywere noted corn and seed merchants who once traded out of premises in Earl Street. Ann, whowas on the board of governors


ofWateringbury School for some years, leaves her husband and sons.


“Pax” Jackson


PATRICK Anthony “Pax” Jackson (87) moved locally after thewar and his homes included Ryarsh, Maidstone town and Allington. Prior to going into a care home his final


local residencewas in the Royal British Legion Village. Born in County Monaghan, Ireland, Paxwas involved in thewar and seled locally with wife of more than 60 years, Joyce. The couple raised children Anthony, Charlie, Patricia and Caroline. Pax’s work included a range of jobs in building, including laying major pipes such as the concrete inlet and outlet pipes at Dungeness Power Station. Pax and Joyce also managed bars, including that at Snodland Working Men’s Club. Son Anthony said: “My fatherwas happy


doing the normal things in life, he liked to spend time with his family. He liked a drink and enjoyed his garden and feeding birds.” Pax – whose wife died 18 months ago –


leaves his children, six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.


Andrew Thornewell


ANDREW Thornewell (28), formerly of Teapot Lane,Aylesford died in a road accident in Cambridgeshire. The news prompted tributes from friends


of the former pupil at Oakwood Park and Invicta grammar schools. Andrew’s parents, Paul and Linda, and


his older sister Sarah, also paid tribute to the engineer whowas looking forward to a bright and challenging career.


Gillespie - Kerry, Eric, Miles and Joshua


3rd March 1990 I sit here and think of you all


I wonder why you died, to think I never said goodbye before you closed your eyes,


I never knew that morning that sorrow was so near,


I only know I lost my friends who were so very dear.


Remembered always and sadly missed love always


Jackie 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 There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com 30 Malling March 2015


Andrewwas due to marry partner Emma Shackleton in May.At the time of his death the couplewere living in Ely, Cambridgeshire, and hewas working for RJ Herbert Engineering.Acolleague, Tim Wildbore, also died in the same accident. Andrew, whowas an ardent supporter of Gillingham FC, leaves his many friends and family members.


Leslie Broughton


LESLIE “Les” Broughton (79), who died at the Heart of Kent Hospice,was awell- known publican, running the Duke of Wellington pub in Ryarsh in the 1970s and later the Black Horse in Thurnham in the 1980s. Anoted joker who enjoyed a Chinese takeaway to celebrate his final birthday in the hospice, Les lived in the Algarve for 20 years. He will also be remembered as a founder member ofWest Malling Golf Club and as a keen sportsman who spent two years on the books of Fulham Football Club. Les, who lost his wife Carole in 2013,


leaves his children Chris and Claire, step- children Fleur and Christopher, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.


Len Laker


LEONARD “Len” Laker (86), of Ringlestone, was known for his years of work as a baker and breadmaker, and particularly for his special cakes. Len spent most of his life in Ringlestone,


living in the same house in Calder Road from 1932 to 1995. He then moved to another property in the same area. He served in the


Army from 1946 to 1948, training as a cook, and then worked locally for a number of employers including Reeds and Marley. Len


married Kathleen in 1952 and the couple raised daughter Sandra. The family moved toAustralia in 1965, but returned when Kathleen became seriously ill. She died on the aircraft bringing them home in 1968. Jeanee said: “My grandfather got on with


everybody. He lovedwalking his dog and aended the Methodist Church in Union Street. He recovered from a hit-and-run accident in 1999.” Len leaves his daughter, grandchildren Jeannee, Jenniffer, Peter and Paul, nine


great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.


Douglas Rabjohn


DOUGLAS Rabjohn (93), of Mill Street, Maidstone,was a dedicated and much-loved local teacher who began work at St James’ School, East Malling in 1948, moving to Blacklands School when St James’ closed. He worked locally until 1985. Douglaswas born in Birling and schooled


in Birling, Leybourne and Snodland. He and his wife of more than 40 years, Patricia, raised children Julian and Felicity. His former homes included a school house at St James’ School and Snodland. Former pupils have spoken with affection


of Douglas’s abilities and more than £1,000 has been raised towards a memorial bench. Afund-raisingwebsite says: “Douglas Rabjohn, or ‘Sir’ as hewas known to most of us,was a beloved and inspiring teacher who commanded the respect of the school.” Douglas – whowas widowed in 1988 –


leaves his children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Anyone wishing to donate to the funding


of the memorial bench should go to www.gofundme.com/mohuvc


Les Tompse


LESLIE “Les” Tompse (87) lived locally almost all of his life. Born in Hunton, Les lived for more than 60 years in Coxheath. One of six brothers, he lived with his mother, taking over the family home when she died. Les did national service in the RAF and grew up doing local farm work and hop picking, butwaswell known as a one- company, one-career man who spent the vast majority of his working life as an engineer at Whatman’s paper mill in Maidstone. His niece Tina Jones said: “My unclewas self-sufficient and really happy on his own. He cooked his own meals andwas a very determined person. Hewas generous with his time and often helped people out. “Hewas really patient and helped his nephews and nieces and their children to assemble kits and toys. It is a mark of how well regarded hewas that the local post office sent a wreath to his funeral. I’ve also heard from one of his colleagues at the paper mill that Leswas the best person he ever worked with. People really took to him.” Les – whowas the last of the brothers in


his family – leaves 10 nephews and nieces and many friends.


Obituaries


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