downsmail.co.uk Jackie Harris


JACQUELINE “Jackie” Harris (102), who was known to some as “Tessie”, lived locally for about 50 years, as her husband – William “Bill” – managed Loder and Payne’s store in Bank Street, Maidstone. Born Jacqueline Harding-Goodman inWallington, Surrey, Jackie grew up in Surrey and Sussex. The couple moved to Maidstone in the 1930s and raised daughters Antonia “Toni” and Roberta “Robbie”.


They remained locally until moving to Cornwall in 1987. Their homes in Maidstone included Monckton’sAvenue, Heather Road, Loose and Madginford Road, Bearsted. Daughter Robbie said: “My mother was


very sociable and outgoing; she and my father loved socialising at dances, pubs and parties – we held a lot of parties at home. As a couple they were closely involved in the Conservative Club when it was located on Earl Street, in the present home of the Pizza Express restaurant. “My mother was proud of her noble heritage, and was a very giving person who was generous to her chosen charities, which included time spent volunteering at the Cheshire Home in Mote Park. She was also very involved with St Faith’s Church in the town.” Jackie – who was widowed in 2004 –


leaves her daughters, grandsons Guy, John and Sean, great-grandchildren Vikki and Charlene and great-great-grandchildren Sian, Freddy, Emily and Mahew.


Chris Haswell


TRIBUTES have poured in after the sudden death of East Farleigh’s Chris Haswell. Chris (62) worked locally in the construction industry but was widely known as the lead singer in Rod Stewart and The Faces tribute band, The Ronnies. The married father


was also a keen fisherman and friends from all areas of his life posted tributes on social media and shared


news of his death. Samuel Paul Jacques said: “A true and


lovely gentleman.” Ian Maggs added: “Very sad and unexpected – great entertainer.”


BobWilliams


ROBERT “Bob”Williams (83), of Marden, moved to East Malling at the age of 17, while serving in the RAF. Born and raised in Bootle, Liverpool, he


was a loyal Liverpool FC supporter. His RAF service brought him to the local


area where he met and married Joy, wife of 63 years. They raised children Barry and


Kay. After working at Aylesford paper mill Bob became a postman. The family lived in Leeds before moving to Marden where Bob spent the final 32 years of his life.


Kay said: “My father never lost his Scouse sense of humour; he had an answer for everything. He was a loving and loyal family man, a real hands-on dad, grandad and great-grandad. “His granddaughter and great- granddaughter used to call in on him on their way home from school. Long after he came to live down south he would still travel to see Liverpool play in London. The last thing he watched on television was a 4-5 away win for Liverpool. “He was also a great giver to charities, especially animal charities.” Bob leaves his wife, children, grandchildren Peter and Karrie-Anne and great-grandchildren Kate-Ellen and Maria.


Mollie Richford


MOLLIE Richford (88) lived in various houses in East Farleigh from 1960, spending most time in Vicarage Lane. She was a teacher in a number of village junior schools, and regularly aended East Farleigh Church. Born Mollie Picke


in Benover, Yalding, she grew up in Nelestead and Wateringbury and trained as a teacher in Cambridge. Mollie taught in Biddenden and Rochester before marrying Paul – who


worked as a county architect – and the couple lived in East Peckham before moving to East Farleigh. Mollie was mother to David, Mark and


Mary and over the years taught at schools in Hunton, Nelestead andWateringbury. David said: “My mother was an independent-spirited woman who had clear ideas about the way she wanted things done. “Her faith was very strong and she was


involved with East Farleigh Church as a chorister, bell ringer, sidesperson, organist and archivist. As an archivist she looked in to whether the church had ever been dedicated to any saint, discovering that it never has. “My mother was also a Guide captain


and district commissioner and – after being widowed in 1999 – had an amazing end to her life with solo trips to places like Canada, Iceland and Morocco. She visited the Galapagos Islands seven times, becoming a personal friend of Philip Darwin – a descendant of Charles Darwin – and being appointed as a guardian of the Galapagos because of her dedication to the islands.” Mollie leaves her children, seven grandchildren and three great- granddaughters.


Molly Smith


THE death has been reported of Molly Smith (91), from Eyhorne Street, Hollingbourne.


Molly lived at The Pavings in the village


for more than 30 years and she was the widow of George Smith, a former Maidstone town planner who was a prominent figure in the campaign against the original plans for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The local cam-paign succeeded in forcing a rethink that resulted in the line being placed in a cut and cover tunnel and running below the level of the village. Molly was well-known locally as a


school teacher, a regular at whist drives and a stalwart of her local WI. She served her WI as president from 1994 to 1996. Molly’s later years were blighted by ill


health and she had regular visits from carers to her home. She leaves one cousin.


Joan Boyle


JOAN Boyle (78) lived in East Peckham for most of her life. She came to the area when she was


evacuated from Wood Green in London as a child and returned after training with the Salvation Army in 1959.


Born Joan Perry,


she marriedWilliam Boyle (originally from Dundee) and the couple made their home in East Peckham from 1964. Joan worked on


farms andWilliam


worked in plant hire and as a roller driver. Later in life, Joan became an occupational therapy helper and worked with mentally- handicapped elderly people at Oakwood Hospital, retiring from that part of her working life when the hospital closed. Joan andWilliam raised sons David and Stuart. Son David said: “My mother’s passion


was for her work with the Salvation Army. She and my father built up and ran the local corps in East Peckham, where my mother served for more than 40 years. In a move that is highly unusual, possibly unique, I took over the corps from her leadership, along with my wife Suzanne, when her health declined. “Locally she was loved by everyone and


always had time for people. She was known asAuntie Joan and was a cherished presence in her community. There is a thanksgiving service for her life at Holy Trinity Church, East Peckham at 3pm on April 17.” Joan – who was widowed in 1996 –


leaves her sons and grandchildren Jasmine and Joseph.


The Stone Shop


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


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The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.


01622 726633 There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com 38 Maidstone South March 2016


Obituaries


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