downsmail.co.uk John Surtees


JOHN Surtees (83)was a motor-racing legend and the only man to have won major world titles on both two wheels and four. Surteeswas known


locally as the owner of the Buckmore Park kart circuit and as a keen enthusiast for motor sport whowas always supportive of new talent. His major


achievements included seven world


motorcycling titles and winning the F1 world championship in 1964 for Ferrari. But his love of the sportwas also marked by hands-on involvement at a number of levels. He owned the freehold of Buckmore Park


from the mid 1990s but stepped in to buy the complex in 2015. Surtees – who lived in Edenbridge, Sussex – leaves his wife and two daughters. His son Henry died in a motor racing accident at Brands Hatch.


Joan Guthrie


THE death has been announced of Joan Guthrie, who for many years ran the Post Office on Eyhorne Street, Hollingbourne, with her husband, Ian. Joan died in Maidstone Hospital after a long illness. The couple ran the Post Office after Ian


retired from the Royal Engineers regiment. Theywere known for the number of fundraising events they organised for the RNLI. After the Post Office closed and – more recently – Ian died, Joan continued to live in the house next door. Joanwas originally from Bury, leaving her


local grammar school in 1949. She leaves sons, Ian and Rory, and other family members.


Elizabeth McAlarey


ELIZABETH McAlarey (77) lived 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 shewas educated locally and started work at the Fremlin brewery. She 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 spent time with her brothers and sisters when they became ill and looked 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 among 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 he


had played for Derbyshire and Ashford. 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.


Brian Corby


BRIAN Donald Corby (79) of Porchester Lane, Loose died a few days short of his 80th birthday and a fewweeks before his 54th wedding anniversary. Born in Gravesend, he met his wife,


Pauline, in his home town and the couple lived in Strood before moving locally. They lived in ChapmanAvenue before moving to Loose.


Brian’s work with British Uralite took him


all over the country. He helped to place air conditioning in the Channel Tunnel and on the QE2 ocean liner. Brianwas father to Neal and Sharon. Neal said: “In retirement, my father focused on


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family, travelling and golf, playing at Bearsted Golf Club. He also played tennis and badminton. “People will remember him as affable, likeable and a real people person.” Brian leaves his wife, children, grandchildren James, Hannah, Robert and Kosta and great-grandson Zachery.


‘Meg’ Featherstone


MARGARET Rose “Meg” Featherstone (81) lived in Coxheath. Born in Tovil, Meg moved to Shepway, Maidstone, and later to West Kingsdown. Megwaswell known


as a swimmer, learning to swim in the Medway at Teston bridge. As a teenager she swam across Mote Park lake a number of times, becoming known as “the lady of


the lake”. Megwas a member of Maidstone swimming club from 1947 until 1960 but in 1960 she became swimming instructor at Warner's holiday camp on the Isle of Sheppey. Here she met her husband Derek, who said: “Shewas the best thing on two legs – in or out of thewater. Shewas also a great dancer.” Megwas mother to daughter Lesley and


son Alan and grandmother to four grandchildren. She did a lot of charity work for Children


in Need, Demelza House Hospice and Guide Dogs for the Blind.


Paige Chester


THE sudden and tragic death of Paige Chester (21) stunned family and friends and brought about an outpouring of sympathy on social media.


Paige, who grew up


in Halling, lived alone in Thornhill Place, Maidstone, after losing her mother in November. She had struggled to cope with her loss but had appeared to be managing her lifewell and had posted on


Facebook to say: “After the worst time of my life I've come out so much stronger, couldn't be happier right now with work and life in general. Soppy as it is…wish you could see me now mum, hope you’re proud of me.” Paige’s death hit her friends and work colleagues many of whom have used social media to pay tribute. Rhys Michael Gray said: “RIP Paige Chester,wewas so close at a stage in our life, you helped me through a lot at one point. I can't thank you enough and hearing the sad news that you've tragically passed away at such a young age is a pull on the heart strings.” Rebecca Theodore said: “Such horrible news.” Paige’s workmate Rachel Nixon added: “Youwere doing sowell my sweet, you always had a smile on your face, even at work and you always put a smile on mine. I'm so so devastated.”


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com


Obituaries


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