downsmail.co.uk Dorothy Haley
DOROTHY Haley (91)was known for her years as head teacher at Bower Grove School, in Fant Lane, Maidstone. Dorothy joined Bower Grove in 1979 and left in 1986. Her friend and former colleague Trevor Phipps said: “Shewas devoted to the children at the school andwas a fantastic advocate for pupils with special educational needs. She dedicated her life
to the work at school and spent hours trying to achieve the best for the school and the pupils, which included on occasions disagreements with the authority, which she usually won. “Her assemblieswere fascinating and
always exceptionallywell planned, so the children gained so much from them. “Although slight in stature she had an enormous presence at the school and she expected high standards from everyone from pupils, staff, governors and colleagues. “Dorothy had a vibrant personality. She
was a single lady and a private person who kept in close contact with her family.” On retirement, Dorothy fulfilled a long standing ambition to learn to be a glider pilot and also travelled widely. Trevor said: “There is not a place in the world she has not been to see, as far as I amaware.” Whilst in Maidstone, Dorothywas a member of the Soroptimists and became a very influential member of Delta, Kappa, Gamma (an organisation that promotes professional and personal growth of women educators). She gave world-wide talks from America to Europe about special education. Dorothy maintained contact with Bower
Grove, aending fetes and Christmas Fairs. Trevor – who succeeded Dorothy as head teacher – said: “Dorothywas a great personality who led such an interesting life. You could not help but be mesmerised by her stories and adventures.” Dorothy leaves members of her extended
family and her many friends and colleagues around the world.
Hilda Brown
HILDA Daisy Brown (102), who has died at Pine Lodge Care Home in Siingbourne, lived in the area her whole life. She spent 27 years living in Egremont
Road, Bearsted, and before that lived in in Detling and Siingbourne.
Born Hilda Costen
in Burham, she started work at the Foster Clark factory in Maidstone and married local farmer and contractor Maurice Richard “Dick” Brown. Hildawas mother to Barry, Valerie and
Anthony. Valerie said: “My motherwas capable, confident and very very caring; the kind of person who would do anything for anyone. Shewas known locally as a character and as someone who worked very hard.
“She did all the things a farmer’s wife 32 Maidstone East July 2016
would do. Whenwe lived at the top of Detling Hill, she would skin rabbits and make her own buer. Aswe children grew up shewas bored andwent to work at Trebor Sharps in Maidstone. “She retired at the age of 60, but by the
age of 67 he began cooking for about 50 people for Age Concern and continued doing that for 21 years, making her own pies and not buying in things she could make beer herself. She remained sprightly and independent into her 103rd year.” Hilda – whowas widowed in 1993 –
leaves her children, six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren.
Bre Baker
DOWNSWOOD’S Bre Baker (33)was known and liked by many in the local area. His father announced his death on Bre’s Facebook page, saying that he passed away with his family by his side. He thanked Bre’s many friends for their kind thoughts and wishes.
Bre’s Facebook
page had chronicled events in the course of his bale with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC); a chronic and incurable liver condition that can be treated but – in cases like Bre’s – necessitates a
transplant. Bre had high priority as the potential recipient of a new liver and on April 25 he told Facebook friends: “it could happen in the next couple of months.... forever the optimist.”
Freda Hayward
THE death has been announced in Sidmouth, Devon, of Freda Hayward (90, who lived in College Road, Maidstone and ran the dance school, Theatre Group. Born Freda Oliver and educated at Maidstone Commercial School (now Invicta Grammar), Fredawas an accomplished dancer and worked for Royal Insurance in the High Street. She married Frank Hayward in 1959 and the couple raised children Jilly and Sally. Frank and Fredawere involved in producing and performing in a range of local shows and pantomimes from 1966 to 1992.
Obituaries and local coverage of her death
have recounted a number of stories including meter readers at her home in College Road beingwarned to avoid the pantomime camel stored in the cellar. Freda and Frank retired to Devon in 1993,
where she became active in her local WI and Frank served as an independent councillor on Sidmouth Town Council. The couple also performed with the Sidmouth Songsters choir, which raised hundreds of pounds for charities. Freda leaves her husband, daughters and three grandchildren.
Elizabeth Melling THE death has been announced of Elizabeth Melling formerly of Bower Mount Road.
Elizabeth died at the Pilgrims View Care
Home in Snodland and the funeral took place on June 30.
Christine Louise Perman
THE death has been announced in Brighton of Christine Louise Perman, formerly of Larkfield and Maidstone. Her funeral took place in Brighton on June 30.
Phil Sweatman
PHIL Sweatman (59) lived inWeavering from 1997. Born in Islington, London, Phil moved to Langley with his wife of 29 years, Judie. They later moved toWeavering. Phil was father to David, Jenny and Mahew. Judie said: “After 38 years of public service, mostly inHMCustoms & Excise and laerly in the National Crime Agency, Phil was delighted to be offered early retirement in 2014. He volunteered his services as a driver to Age UK and spent the remainder of his life driving clients to day
centres and out for summer and Christmas trips. “He also took over maintenance of the
Age UK fleet, spending Saturday mornings ensuring the vehicles were roadworthy, safe and clean. “Phil died suddenly and unexpectedly
from undiagnosed heart disease. Sadly, he also died too soon to see his beloved Maidstone United promoted at the end of the season. “Phil was a quiet, self-effacing person
who loved the Kent countryside. He loved driving his distinctive Land Rover round the country lanes to air shows or simply down to Headcorn to watch planes.” The tributes paid to Phil included one in
the programme at Maidstone United where he and Judie held season tickets for the stand during the recent promotion season. His funeral drew 160 people from all
walks of his life. Phil leaves his wife and children.
Daphne Tamkin
THE death has been announced in Sandbach, Cheshire of Daphne Jane Tamkin (89), formerly of Pevington Farm, Egerton. Daphne was married to the late Bill Tamkin and was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her funeral took place in Cheshire on June 30.
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Obituaries
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