downsmail.co.uk JennyHurwi
JENNY Hurwi (98) lived locally from 1960, making homes in Doddington and Langley before spending her final years in Beauworth Park, offWillington Street, Maidstone. Prior to this Jenny
had lived in Rainham, Boxley and Strood. Born Jenny Elvy, she trained as a nurse and began work before marrying Jack and raising children Claire, Maureen, Andy, Felicity (“Lizzie”) and Greg.
When Jennywas widowed in 1959, her five childrenwere aged between one and 11 years old. She had help from her mother with childcare and re-trained to gain higher nursing qualifications. Jenny worked as nurse in charge of elderly
care at Linton Hospital and took an active role in helping the patients, some of whom had lived in the hospital since its earlier days as a workhouse. Claire said: “My motherwas dedicated to
everyone she looked after, from her own children to the hospital patients. In the case of the patients, she worked hard to get them out and give them more active lives. “She worked hard at fundraising for the residents, including making soft toys to sell at fairs. She would give her last penny to someone who needed it more. “When she retired from the NHS at 60, she
went to work for Marie Curie Nursing Care, staying with them until shewas 75. This meant she needed to drive to visit terminally-ill patients, so she passed her driving test at the age of 60. Shewas a wonderful mother and grandmother.” Jenny leaves her children, grandchildren
Chris, Alex, Astrid and Toby and great- grandchildren Zac and Mia.
Cherry Fann
THE village of Staplehurst has been united in mourning the death of Cherry Fann (82). Born Cherry Grant in Cheam, Surrey, she
moved as a girl to Seaton, Devon, whre her parentswere publicans. Her husband, Michael Fann, spent a holiday from Cambridge University working in the pub and the pair married in 1956, going on to raise four daughters. The family lived in Staplehurst from 1972,
in a house called Lindridge on the Marden Road, for 20 years before converting and moving in to the neighbouring barn. Cherrywas heavily involved in community life, working as a librarian at Staplehurst, Marden and Coxheath and running activities such as the Staplehurst Good Companions’ Club and the Age Concern Friday Club in Coxheath. Cherrywas chairman of the Staplehurst Society and became its honorary life president on retirement. She co-authored a book on Staplehurst – a pictorial history based on old postcards – andwas involved in organising annual clean-ups removing rubbish from country lanes in the area. In her tenure as a parish councillor from
1987 to 1995, she helped to oversee the conversion of the former school into a village centre.
Cherry leaves her husband, three surviving daughters and 13 grandchildren.
30 Maidstone South August 2016 Jean Messham
JEAN Messham (84) who has died in Totnes, Devon will bewell remembered locally from around 18 years of teaching. Shewas initially a supply teacher and then
a member of staff at Sandling County Primary School in Maidstone. Born Jean Roberts inWales, she grew up andwent to teacher training college before moving to the Maidstone area with husband of 56 years, Ted. He worked as a brickworks manager in
Ryarsh and Pluckley. The couple raised daughters, Nikki and Jo.
Jo said: “My mother
taught locally from 1974 and, for years afterwards, she would meet her former pupils in the street who would often stop and chat. She always regarded teaching as important and had the
ability to bring the best out of children, however they learned. “Shewas caring and capable in her work
andwas heavily involved in school events such as plays and music. She played the piano for those events. “To her pupils and to her family shewas a
lovely woman who did a lot for others. After she retired shewas involved with a choir which sang to raise money for the Heart of Kent Hospice.” Jean and Ted moved to Devon to be near Jo
in October 2015. Jean leaves her husband, daughters and grandchildrenOwen, Emily and Ed.
Owain Boughtwood
THE death in a road accident near his home in the Canterbury area of local footballer and cricketer Owain Boughtwood (21) has drawn tributes from those who knew him. Owainwas two years through an under- graduate degree at Santa Clara Univer- sity, California. He had been in-
volved in sport across Kent. As a footballer he played for Folke- stone Invicta and Ash- ford and represented the county of Kent. Owainwas the
youngest of six children and a family state- ment has talked of his place among his “large, loving family” and praised his pres- ence as a “fun-loving uncle” to his nine nieces and nephews.
Caroline Cornell
THE death has been announced in Swansea, after a short illness, of Caroline Cornell (51). Born Caroline Leigh she grew up mainly
in Coxheath and aended Cornwallis School before moving to Somerset after her
marriage.At the time of her death shewas living in Camarthen, SouthWales.
Bob Espley
THE death has been reported in Horsham, West Sussex of former Maidstone resident, Bob Espley (72).
Stewart Brown
STEWART Brown (78) lived in the Square Hill area of Maidstone for 32 years and before that in YeomanWay, Bearsted. Born and raised in Staplehurst, Stewart worked for Mid-KentWater andwas involved for a long time with local Scouting. He retired from Mid-KentWater when the organisation changed and South EastWater became the company covering the area. Stewartwas married to Margaret for 49
years, the couple would have celebrated their goldenwedding in September. They raised sons David and Jonathan. Margaret said: “Stewartwas very supportive ofme and our sons in the local Scouting movement and helped in every way he
could.At the two serviceswe held, more than 200 people turned up. “Just over 19 years ago, Stewart received a
Pride of MaidstoneAward from Cllr Morel D'Souza for his services to Scouting.” Stewart leaves his wife, sons, daughter-in-
law Erika and grandchildren Joseph and Anneka.
JackieAtkinson
JACQUELINE “Jackie”Atkinson (80) lived with husband David in Barming for 52 years. Born Jacqueline Collins and raised in Marden, Jackie worked forAtcost in Paddock Wood as a receptionist and telephonist for a number of years. She met David through his brother, who also worked atAtcost, and the couple raised children Carole and Penny. Jackie did temping work as the children grew up.
David said: “Jackiewas a happy and hard-
working person, a dedicated mother and someone who loved her family.We enjoyed music andwent to all kinds of performances, including classical music and popular stars like James Last and Guy Mitchell. “Jackie used to communicate with Roy
Hudd and he would make a point of telling us when hewas performing in our area.” Jackie leaves her husband, daughters, grandchildren Kate andAdam and great- grandchildren Oakley, Laken, Jax and Primrose.
Daphne Tamkin
THE death has been announced in Sandbach, Cheshire of Daphne Jane Tamkin (89), formerly of Pevington Farm, Egerton. Daphnewas married to the late Bill
Tamkin andwas a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her funeral took place in Cheshire.
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
Obituaries
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