downsmail.co.uk Bob Bowker


NELSON Ernest Edwin Thomas “Bob” Bowker (83), lived in Kingswood from 1973, moving locally to work after growing up in London and also living in Luton and Hertfordshire. Hewas the director of the computer centre at MidKent College in Horsted and supported school computing throughout Kent. He influenced policy nationally through his work on the British Computer Society Education Commiee. He worked with his


wife of 54 years, Rose-Marie, pioneering the use of computers in primary schools across the county, with Harrietsham Primary School where Rose-Marie taught. Bob had been part of the English folk


dance team in the 1950s, dancing in Africa and Europe. In the 1970s and 1980s he became squire of Eyhorne Morris Men and was known throughout Kent as theMCfor the Borderers Band, running barn dances with Rose-Marie and daughter Anne. Anne said: “My father had a tremendous


sense of service to others. After retiring he was active as a volunteer including NeighbourhoodWatch and Citizens’ Rights for Older People, and served as chair of Broomfield and Kingswood Parish Council. Hewas a very bright, kind, gentle and generous person whowas widely trusted.” Bob studied physics at Imperial College, London and his daughter currently serves as Royal Society Ogden Trust education research fellow, investigating professional development for teachers of physics. Bob – whowas widowed in 2012 – leaves his daughter, two sisters and one brother.


Valarie Garra VALARIE Garra (88), who spent 36 years in Suon Valence, died just before her 89th birthday, having recently moved to Sussex. Born Valarie Tetley, she marriedArmy


officer Peter Garra in 1953, beginning a life that saw the couple moving wherever the BritishArmy had operational business. Their homes included Caerick Garrison in Yorkshire and postings around the world, including the BritishArmy of the Rhine in Germany. Valarie and Peter raised daughter Geraline, known as Gerry.


The couple seled in Suon Valence at the


end of the 70s, where Peter became a lay reader in Suon Valence Church for 22 years. Valariewas always privy to his sermons before theywere delivered and when Peter was presented with a carriage clock to mark the end of his reading at the church, shewas presented with flowers. An article in the parish magazine noted


Valariewas: “involved in prey much every aspect of church life for 36 years”. These duties included membership of the choir, the parochial church council and organising the St Mary’s Church coffee rota. Gover James, husband of Valarie’s best


friend, Brenda, said: “Valariewas thoughtful, considerate, kind and funny, and a wonderful hostess. It is fiing, though unplanned, that her asheswere interred next to those of Brenda.” Valarie leaves her husband, daughter, grandson Andrew and one great- granddaughter.Acollection at a memorial service in St Mary’s Church raised £418 in her memory for Help for Heroes.


AnnHonnor


THE funeral took place ofAnnHonnor, 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 family


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


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


Vera Foreman


VERA Foreman (86) lived locally her whole life, living near the Loose Road since 1951. Born VeraWilson in Maidstone, she aended Maidstone Grammar School for Girls until the age of 16, when she began work in Lloyds Bank. She met Dennis, her husband of 66 years,


at a youth club and they raised children Sally, Dorothy andWilliam. Denniswas an electrical engineer at


Aylesford paper mill while Vera spent a number of years as a wife and mother, before returning to work with NFU Mutual


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


Insurance on Siingbourne Road. She ended her working life providing voluntary classroom help in a local school. Dennis said: “Verawas lovely, caring and


gentle. Shewas polite andwell-mannered. She loved her gardening and had a great knowledge of plants and flowers, which she could name with their proper Latin terms. She also loved ballroom dancing.” Vera leaves her husband, children, 11 grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren.


JosieGleeson


JOSEPHINE “Josie” Gleeson (85) lived in the Willington Street area of Maidstone for 32 years and in the Maidstone area from 1965. Born Josephine Gallagher in County Leitrim, Ireland, Josie moved to England aged 17 to train as a nurse. Her career took her into midwifery and she worked in Hastings, Romford and the Midlands. In 1963 she married Thomas Gleeson, who worked forWimpey’s building firm, and the pair moved to Maidstone with his work. Josiewas mother to Patricia and Margaret. Shewas widowed in 1976. Patricia said:


“My mother worked in theWest Kent, Fant Lane and the Maidstone Hospital as a midwifery sister. Shewas hard-working, self-reliant and a strong character – gentle, quiet and contemplative. “Gardeningwas her passion. Shewas a devout Catholic, worshipping at the Holy Family RC Church in Park Wood. Her granddaughter Charloe brought new joy.” Josie leaves her daughters and her granddaughter Charloe.


John Pay


JOHN Desmond Pay (83), formerly of Maidstone, worked for the Inland Revenue. He spent his final working years as chief inspector of taxes at Medvale House in Maidstone.


Born in Maidstone


hewent to Maidstone Boys Grammar School. He played rugby for the school and Maidstone Rugby Club and tennis for Springfield. Johnwas father to Michelle. She said: “John and his wife


Joan moved to Braintree in Essex, where he died. Theywere married for 35 years and his funeralwas held in Braintree.Myfather had time for everyone. He never complained about his illness and always had a smile. He loved life and will be sadly missed, hewas loved by all. “ John leaves his wife, daughter and granddaughter Emily and three stepchildren.


Serving the local community since 1985


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Obituaries


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