downsmail.co.uk Joan Benne
JOAN Benne (88) lived for 54 years in Coxheath and had previously lived in Bearsted and Staplehurst. Born Joan Houilibecq on Guernsey she
was evacuated to Dorset and Lancashire until the islandwas reclaimed from the Nazis. Joan met Roy, her husband of almost 65 years, when she worked in a café on Guernsey, and the couple moved to Bearsted to live with his parents.
Joanwas mother to Paul, Alan, Peter and
Neil and worked as an orderly at Linton Hospital for 22 years. Roy said: “Joanwas devoted and selfless,
she dedicated her life to her family and being the best mother to her sons and best grandmother to her eight grandchildren. “Aswe had the time and opportunity later
in our lives,we travelled all over the world, and Joan had been to see our eldest son in New Zealand nine times aswell as making trips to places like Hawaii, India, Singapore and mainland USA. “We also travelled on our own closer to
home in countries like France.” Joan leaves her husband, three of her sons
(son Peter pre-deceased her), six surviving grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Martyn Sparrowhawk
TRIBUTES have been paid to Martyn Sparrowhawk, who raised large sums of money for charity. Martyn (53), who died onAugust 15, lived in Fant Lane and worked as a painter and decorator. He had aended St Simon Stock School and trained as a master butcher. Martynwas father to
15-year-old Joseph, andwas engaged to Moya Sparrowhawk,
who had changed her name by deed poll ahead of theirwedding. Martynwas also a former England international martial arts fighter who had competed in both judo and karate in the
1980s.Arepresentative from Kyoikenkai karate dojo posted a tribute online noting: “the untimely death of my good friend and clubmate from my early day…astrong brave fighter and a very nice guy.” Martyn also worked as a doorman and set
up the Jester’s Scooter Club. He helped to raise thousands of pounds for the Breast Cancer Care charity. Aregular in the Cherry Tree pub in Barming, Martynwas also a keen gardener. He leaves his fiancée, son, his parents, two sisters and three brothers.
SusieHoare HOLLINGBOURNE’S Susan “Susie” Hoare, who lived in Hadley Gardens,was known for her involvement in village life.
She worshipped regularly at All Saints'
Parish Church andwas the sister of the Reverend Robin Gill; a local clergyman who is currently a member of the team working in the Leeds and Hollingbourne Benefice and whowas at one point the Priest in Charge. Susie’s funeral took place at Saint Margaret’s Church,
Hucking.Achurch bar- becue which had been scheduled for the same daywas cancelled as a mark of respect.
DouglasGrist
DOUGLAS “Doug” Grist (86) lived the final years of his life in Siingbourne but had lived in the Maidstone and Medway areas since hewas a small boy.
Born in Bexhill to parents from Rainham in Kent, he returned locally and remained in the area apart from a spell on national service with the RAF in Norfolk. Doug’s local homes included Ringlestone, Langley, Suon Va-
lence, and Bearsted. Hewas known from his years running the
family business EHGrist and Sons, a whole- sale fruit and vegetable business based in Hedley Street near Maidstone Prison. Doug and his brother took the business over from their father. When it closed Doug worked for Trebor Sharps in Maidstone. Dougwas married twice. He and first wife
June had children Lesley, Judith and Martin and with second wife Dee he had children Tracy and Stuart. Judith said: “My father loved the outdoors and could take pleasure in a lot of life’s simple things. “When he retired he bought land near Ul-
combe and grew plum trees and Christmas trees, aswell as keeping sheep and chickens. “He sold his produce at market in Ashford
and kept this business going for 15 years. He also toured the south east of England and Wales in a camper van with my stepmother. He even took her to the place inWales where hewas evacuated as a boy. “In later years they had a permanent cara-
van at a site in Dorset and spent their sum- mers there.” Doug leaves his wife, four children – daughter Lesley died in 2011 – 10 grandchil- dren and three great-grandchildren.
IanHodgson
TRIBUTES have been paid to a father-of-two Ian Hodgson, who died when he lost control of his motorbike on the A228 between Pad- dock Wood and East Peckham. Son Chris posted a photograph of a Ducati motorbike on Facebook, in tribute to his fa- ther. Amongst those paying tributewas DonnaWilliams, who posted: “My most sin- cere condolences to the whole family, God bless x” Ian leaves his wife
Tracy and sons Chris and Stephen.
David Sladden
DAVIDWilliam Charles Sladden (58) lived in Bearsted for around 20 years and lived locally throughout his life. Born in Suon Valence and raised in Hollingbourne, David aended Swadelands School and worked as a mechanic with his father-in-law. His pas- sion for cars remained with him throughout his life.
Married for 35 years
to Julie, Davidwas fa- ther to Katie and
Grace. Katie said: “Our father’s passion for carswas a massive part of his life and he owned a number of vintage and classic cars; he loved taking us to car shows. “Our fatherwas outgoing, sociable and the
kind of person who is loved by everyone.” David leaves his wife, daughters, grand- son Jack and sisters Rosemary and Patricia.
JulieMay Hughes THE death has been announced of Julie May Hughes (57) who worked in Marks and Spencer and, more recently, as landlady of TheWindmill pub in Burham. She leaves her partner Mike, sons Simon
and Ben, her brother Chris, her sister Lesley and other members of her extended family.
MarshallVine
THE death of Maidstone’s Marshall Vine (73) made local headlines because of his personal quest to save and restore the paddle steamer The Medway Queen. Marshallwas born and brought up in Maidstone. Born with cerebral palsy, he completed teacher training and taught woodwork, metal- work and history at St John Fisher’s School in Chatham. Marshallwas also known for his involve- ment in Scouting and
his passion for steam railways. Itwas his discovery of the roing hulk of
the Medway Queen and the campaign to re- store the vessel that brought him the most local aention and he served as chairman to the society working to bring the Medway Queen back to full working order. Acollection at Marshall’s funeral will go to
the Medway Queen Society. Marshall leaves his sister Diana and her family.
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 There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email
nlnxn@aol.com 32 Malling September 2016
Obituaries
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