downsmail.co.uk ChristineWatson


CHRISTINE “Chris”Watson (69) lived in Barming from 1972. Before that she lived in Shepway’s PlainsAvenue, Ashford Road, Park Wood and Queens Road. Shewas born in Lancashire, living in


Darwen until her Maidstone-born father brought the family to his home town. Chris had a number of jobs in the area including office work, spending 17 years in one job with a local firm of chartered surveyors. Her brother David said: “Chriswas breezy, fun-loving and liked by everyone. Her love of life extended to her later years when she took part in performances by Spare Parts, a group of singers who performed all over Kent, often for old people. “Chris did this in spite of ill health herself. She also spent years performing and helping at performances of Chandeliers, an amateur dramatic group who put on productions in the Hazlitt Theatre. “Shewas a wonderful auntie and really


close to her nieces Karen, Suzanne and Nicola. Shewas also very close to other members of her family. She lived with our mother until she passed away andwas very caring to her.” Chris leaves her brother, sister-in-law, nieces and all her other family members.


Doris Boorman DORIS Boorman (89) of Headcornwas born and raised locally. She and her sisters Peggy and Sylvia


were raised at Dray Corner, where her father Richard built a family home. Doris went to school locally and in the early years of the war started work for Harry Vidler. Shewent on to work for Roy Hooker as a


shop manageress for 25 years before Roy’s retirement led to the closure of the shop. Doris ended her working life as an administrator for seven years at Drake and Fletcher. Doris lived at home until 1970 when her


father died, after which she and her mother moved to Grigg Lane where Doris stayed until 2013. She then moved to Culpepper Court with her sister Peggy. Doris will be remembered for her long


and active involvement in village life. She danced and rang handbells in local groups until well into her 80s and worked as a volunteer at the village’s hospice shop. Shewas also known locally for her skills


in gardening and as a dog lover, andwas frequently seen out with one of her dogs. The local parish magazine described


Doris as “A true Headcorn lady with a bright and generous smile [who] will be sadly missed and remembered with affection.”


The Stone Shop


Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere.


Inscriptions added to existing memorials


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The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.


01622 726633 36 Maidstone South October 2015 KeithGearing


KEITH Gearing (82) who lived the final 17 years of his life in East Malling, was raised locally, living in Maidstone, Birling and Stangate. Keith was evacuated toWales during the war. He joined the merchant navy in his teens and spent most of his working life sailing the world on a variety of ships. His early work included employment on passenger liners travelling to Australia. He


subsequently worked on cargo boats and oil tankers, travelling between the UK and Canada on boats carrying wood pulp and work on BP tankers. He later moved to Folkestone and worked on cross-channel ferries. One of six children, Keith was close to his family. Niece Faye Jeffrey said: “Keith was a wonderful uncle; fun-loving, cheeky, always up for a laugh and a joke and sentimental. Hewas very loving, cared a lot about his family andwas really happy when he took trips to Canada to stay with his sisters.” Keith leaves sistersWendy, Sylvia and


Sue, his many nieces and nephews and his wider family. His two brothers pre- deceased him.


David Ca


THE death of David Ca (Snr)was marked by a number of tributes from his former colleagues at Maidstone Rugby Club. The club’swebsite noted: “During his time


in office, David presided over a period of change taking place. He proceeded to bring a business approach to the running of the club and brought a degree of stability when the clubwas dropping down through the leagues.” David’s chairmanship of the club took


place from the late 1980s to early 1990s, a tough period during which a steady hand was important. David worked as a farmer in the Boughton Monchelsea area and his business – which diversified under his management – remains in the family. David leaves three sons, David, Mike and


Pete, whowere all heavily involved with rugby at the club and, in the case of Mike, and Pete, also at Cranbrook. His grandchildren also have a passion for


rugby with grandsons Chris and Phil playing for Cranbrook and another grandson


– James – being a member of Blackheath 1st XV.


Heather Johnson


MOTHER-of-one Heather Johnson (37) of Fernhill Road, Fant, and formerly of Rainham, had worked locally in cafes and restaurants. Shewas known to many regulars at The


Source Bar in Maidstone where she never missed a party night. Alot of her friends have paid tribute using social media, especially on her Facebook page which is being managed by her son Cameron Piper (15). Cameron spoke of his loss and the


sadness he feels that any children he has will never know their grandmother. Sophie Elizabeth Lane Morgan said Heatherwas “was one in a million she will be sadly missed” and Nadine Hanlon added: “Her laughwas infectious…Her smile could light a room.”


Mick Stevens


MICK Stevens (63) of Barming lived locally for 31 years andwas widely known throughout the area from his years of involvement as a Lib Dem councillor on Maidstone Council. Hewas the first leader of the council in the new era of cabinet government from 2001 and among his many other achievementswas stepping up from deputy to lead the policy and resources commiee in 1999. The former leader of that commiee, Cllr


Dan Daley, is among many who have paid tribute. He said: “Mick understood the intricacies of finance incrediblywell, the mental abilities he brought to his workwere exceptional and his work ethicwas such that you only had to ask him once to get something done.” Former Downs Mail editor Dennis Fowle


said: “Mickwas an active and dedicated leader of Maidstone Council with strong all- round abilities who always impressed me with his achievements in the role.” Mickwas married to Shona and had children Yanalie and Jodie and step-children


Serving the local community since 1985


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Obituaries


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