downsmail.co.uk Amanda Miller
AMANDA Jane Miller (50), of Hunton, was well-known locally from the work she did setting up and running the county-wide property management business Simon Miller and Company.
Born Amanda
Smith in Essex, she trained as a secretary and worked as a medical secretary in Marble Arch. Amanda met husband Simon at a party in 1980 and the couplewere married in January 1984. Prior
to Hunton their homeswere in Gillingham and Larkfield. Amandawas baptised as one of
Jehovahs’Witnesses in 1981 and remained dedicated all her life. Shewas mother to Lauren, Alexander, Constance and Morgan. Simon Miller and Companywas established in 2000, growing to awell- known and county-wide operation. The company’swebsite has paid a fulsome tribute: “Amandawas characterised by her seemingly inexhaustible cheerfulness and enthusiasm for life. Shewas considered one of the most modest and humble women who, despite tremendous ability, always shied away from publicity and praise”. Amanda had baled breast cancer since
2007, a fight notable for the positivity and determination she brought to it. Amanda leaves her husband, children, grandchildren Hamilton and Fox-Belle, parents, one brother and one sister.
Frank Conn
FRANK Conn (92) lived locally for about 27 years. He moved to Detling where hewas very active in the local community, living there for 18 years before spending five years in the Royal British Legion Village and a further four years in Allington. Born on the Isle of
Dogs, Frank was in the fire service at the start of the war and was mobilised into the Army, for whom he served as a ground gunner in the Shetland Isles and
Ireland before being transferred to the RAF and doing the same job at Detling and Manston airfields. Frank’s time in Detling eventually led to
him becoming central to the campaign for, and design of, the memorial that now stands in the village commemorating the service and sacrifice of the airfield in the war.
The Stone Shop
Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere.
Inscriptions added to existing memorials
Renovations and memorial cleaning
The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.
01622 726633 32 Maidstone Town September 2015 Frank’s working life included time in the
car trade, working as a baker, a milkman and a bus driver, and clerical work for the police. Before Detling, he lived with Alice, his wife of over 60 years, in High Wycombe and Orpington. Frank was father to Stephen and Joyce. Son Stephen said: “My father was
involved in a lot of Detling life. My father and motherwere paperboy and girl to the local village and also turned up on a scooter to do duties as Father and Mrs Christmas at the local school. He got on with everyone andwas a loveable and nice guy who kept his energy until very late in his life and donated to lots of charities”. Widowed nine years ago, Frank leaves
his children, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Henry Fulcher
HENRY Fulcher (18), of New Romney, was a talented footballer well known from his time at the Soccer Elite Football Academy at Swadelands School in Lenham. Henry died after losing control of his
Vauxhall Corsa and hiing a tree in Tenterden. The playerwas named Twopack by team mates and had graduated from the youth ranks to the senior squad at Hythe Town. Having turned out for the first team last season Henry scored his first goal in
a pre-season friendly against a Maidstone United XI this summer. Tributes included a Facebook RIP page
with more than 1,000 members, some of whom contributed at a fundraising event in Lenham, raising £170 for a wreath in the shape of a Vauxhall Corsa. Hythe Town FC paid tribute to Henry stating: “Henry was one of the nicest people you could meet and had the potential to go all theway to the top and we at Hythe had high expectations of him in what would have been his first full season at senior level.”
Mike Swaffer
MICHAEL “Mike” Swaffer (81), who died in Penrith, Cumbria,was raised in Ringlestone and aended Maidstone Grammar School. He became a non-commissioned officer in
the Royal Navy, spending 12 years in the service and rising to the rank of Chief Pey Officer. He married Margaret, who he had
known since schooldays, and the couple eventually left the local area after Mike left the Navy. Mike spent most of
his remaining career in production and within the production management
industry. His skills took him to work for ICI in Yorkshire, aswell as 10 years working in production management in Derbyshire, where he lived in Glossop. When this job ended, Mike and Margaret
took a hotel in Penrith, running it for a few years. They remained in the town in other jobs until they retired. Margaret Swaffer said: “Mikewas a sociable man and a great character. Even when he needed a mobility scooter later in life he would head off to the pub, andwas usuallywell dressed with his trilby hat. He kept lifelong friends, including his best friend from his days at Maidstone Grammar School and never lost his sense of humour or his love of life.” Mike leaves his wife of 58 years, daughter
Jo, son Peter and grand-children Bernice, Eleanor and Laura.
Neville Phillips
NEVILLE Phillips (84)waswell known as a housebuilder and farmer. Born in Chatham he moved locally as a
boy and aended Maidstone Grammar School. His homes included about 30 years in Hollingbourne, time in Bearsted, Willington Street, Barming and 25 years farming near Marden. Nevillewas married to Bey for more than 55 years andwas father to twins Mark and Sarah. Son Mark said: “My father will be clearly remembered by many people locally. He was a master builder involved in house building from the 50s to the 70s, a time in
which he built houses in places like Lenham, Spot Lane,Willington Street and many locations around the Maidstone area. “He had talent as a sportsman and
played rugby as a boy. He opened both the bowling and the baing for Rumwood Cricket Club in Otham and in his 30s took up golf, playing at Bearsted and Ringlestone and playing his last round at the age of 84. “People will remember my father as a larger-than-life character; intelligent,
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
Obituaries
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48