downsmail.co.uk Daphne Gardner
DAPHNE Gardner (89) who spent the final 15 years of her life in Allington lived locally almost all of her life. Born DaphneWenham in Newhaven, she moved to the area as a young girl. Her previous homes include Snodland, Larkfield, Leybourne and East Malling. Daphne worked for Corbens Builders until she married Fred Gardner and became mother to
Sally and Andrew. Fred worked at Leybourne Grange and later in her life Daphne alsowent to work there. Andrew said: “My motherwas sociable
and got onwell with everyone shewas a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed the normal things in life, like taking awalk on Holly Hill with my father and her grandchildren. Just before she died she had become a great-grandmother.” Daphne – whowas a widow – leaves her children, grandsons David and Mark and great-granddaughter Imogen.
Edna Tree
EDNAMargaret Tree (94) lived in Woodford Road, Maidstone, for 50 years and Whitmore Street for 20 years. Born near Deal, she started work in a shop when thewar broke out and she began six years in the Women’s LandArmy with a posting at a farm near East Farleigh. She saw butcher’s boy Ron Tree when she passed his shop and the couple married in 1942.
Edna moved locally and worked on the
land until the birth of her first child, Valerie. Shewas also mother to Andrew. Valerie Hare said: “My mother brought us
up but also worked on local farms, including Court Lodge Farm at East Farleigh. She aended Swanley Agricultural College and was an excellent
gardener.Myfather won an award for Maidstone’s best allotment and after he died my mother took over the allotment and won the same award. “My mother also did cleaning work, including at Maidstone College of Art and the old Post Office Headquarters. “She worshipped at the Methodist Church
on the Tonbridge Road and in her final days in a care home, shewas a member of a Bible study group. Shewas an excellent baker, made lots of jam and helped charities, working in the Blackthorn Trust’s shop.” Edna – whowas widowed in 1992 – leaves
her children, grandchildren Timothy and Christopher and great-grandchildren Thomas, Katie, Sophie and James.
Dave Coomber
DAVID “Dave” Coomber (78) lived locally all his life, spending the last 25 years in Madginford and, before that, in Shepway. Davewas born a twin in a family of 13 children. He began training as a glazier at the age of 15 before three years of national service. In his military career, he witnessed at least three nuclear tests on Christmas Island. Dave married his childhood sweetheart,
Janet, in 1960 and worked for local glazing firms before seing up Southern Glass with his son David, who still runs it today. Dave was also father to Sharon, Mandy and Sally. Janet said: “Dave installed glass in the
archway at 10 Downing Street, after itwas blown out by an IRA bomb. “He loved coarse fishing and had been all
over the local area including Chart Lakes, The Mallards and Lavender Lakes. People will remember him as happy and full of life, someone who eloved his family.We loved caravanning and when Dave got too ill for that he still really enjoyedwalking our two dogs in Mote Park.” Dave leaves his wife, children, 11 grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. He is also survived by his twin, Bernie, who also lives in Bearsted.
Peter Brion
PETER Brion (76) lived in Maidstone his whole life, the last 35 years in Senacre Wood with his previous homes including Dover Street andWaterlow Road. He studied at
Vinters Boys’ School before working at Trebor Sharp in Maidstone. He also worked for J. Muirhead’s frozen food business in
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24 Malling March 2017
Sevenoaks and SunrocWater Coolers in Marden. He finished his working life as caretaker at Senacre Primary School. Peterwas father to Kevin, Nicola, Lesley, Rebecca and David. Nicola said: “My father loved finding out about thewar Hewas a good dad and a good friend to those he knew. He also completed a number of charitywalks.” He leaves his wife Izobel, children, 12 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.
ElizabethMcAlarey
ELIZABETH McAlarey (77) lived locally, at Upper Fant Road, the Shepway estate and in Elizabeth Close. She spent her last six years in Hengist Court, Marsham Street. Born Elizabeth
Baker – and known as Bey – shewas educated locally and started work at the Fremlin brewery boling beer. Elizabeth also worked at Sharps factory and as a cleaner at Oakwood Hospital.
Elizabeth’s older children are Lizzy, Sean
and Kellie. Kellie said: “My motherwas a very giving person who would help anyone in need. She gave money to the homeless andwas dedicated to the patients at Oakwood
Hospital.Mymother spent time with her brothers and sisters when they became ill and spent about 30 years looking after my father after he had a stroke.” Elizabethwas married to Paddy for 60
years, until his death in 2016. Shewas one of 14 children, three of whom are still alive. Elizabeth also leaves her own children, seven grandchildren and six great- grandchildren.
Denis O’Neill
DENISWilliam O’Neill (66), who lived in Lenham before moving to Everden, near Dover,was the founder, chairman and managing director of Kent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, an Ashford-based company which supplied generic drugs to the NHS amongst others. Born in Derbyshire,
Denis moved locally to work for Abbot Laboratories before seeing the opportunity to move into the market for generic drugs. He also founded a business in Lenham dealing in
koi carp and exotic birds. As Kent Pharmaceuticals grew, the other business moved to Grafty Green Garden Centre. In 2012, as Dennis struggled with his health, itwas sold to an Irish company. His other interests included rugby and
had played for Derbyshire and Ashford until an injury ended his involvement in the sport. He also supported a school in Kenya providing education for over 200 children. Denis leaves his wife Anna, children Lucy, Jazmine, Erian and McKenzie and grandchildren Saffron and Marni.
There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email
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Obituaries
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