downsmail.co.uk Countess Mountbaen


COUNTESS Mountbaen (93) known locally as Patricia Knatchbull or Lady Bradbourne who lived at Newhouse at Mersham, near Ashford, had much involvement in Kent life. The daughter of Lord Louis Mountbaen, Patriciawas a lady in waiting to Her Majesty the Queen and godmother to Prince Charles. After education in


Malta, theUKand New York, Patricia entered military service with the Women’s Royal Naval Service and


served in theUKand Sri Lanka. In October 1945 she married John Knatchbull 7th Baron of Brabourne. Both she and her husband held peerages and an inherited title in their own right. Lady Brabournewas a founder of Women


of Kent Luncheon – a bi-annual charity event marking achievements by women in the county. Shewas appointed deputy lieutenant of the county in 1973. Amother of eight, Lady Brabournewas


hit by tragedy when an IRA bomb killed her father, Earl Mountbaen, mother-in-law and her son Nicholas. Lady Brabournewas also aboard the boat inAugust 1979. She inherited the title of Countess Mountbaen of Burma as the result of her father’s death and became actively involved both locally and nationally with bereavement charities. Countess Mountbaen – whowas widowed in 2005 – leaves her seven surviving children and 18 grandchildren.


Malcolm Tait


MALCOLM Tait (86) lived locally from 1961 and spent his final 43 years in Barming. Malcolm spent his early life in Greenwich


andWelling andwas evacuated to Langholm, Scotland, during thewar. He worked for Cox and Kings travel agency before seing up his own company. Malcolm met his wife Eva whilst hewas completing his national service. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2015. He was father to Andrew and Kristina. Andrew said: “After my father retired in


1991 he became involved with a local gardening project in Yalding. He loved gardening and spent a lot of time working on the garden at home. “As his health declined, hewas less able to


pursue his passion for painting, though he continued his long involvement with Maidstone Art Society. “My fatherwas guided by strong religious principles andwas a member of the Ramblers’ Association. ” Malcolm leaves his wife, children and grandchildrenWayan, Kieran and Ian.


Stella Lock


STELLA Lock (91) spent her career teaching PE at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, rising to head of department. By the end of her working life she had become head of department. She lived in SterlingAvenue, Allington, for


about 60 years before moving to a care home. Shewas a noted golfer and a member of Bearsted Golf Club. Born in Hounslow,


Stella aended Chelsea College of Physical Education. She and her fellow studentswere evacuated to Borth, Wales, during thewar so that the college site


in London could be used for civil defence. Niece Jane Moore said: “Stella loved golf


and had a talent forwatercolour painting. She played bridge for many years andwas a regular worshipper at St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Tonbridge Road. “She could be lots of fun but had a strong- minded streak. “When she and Iwent out in Maidstone in


her later yearswe often ran into former pupils who remembered her.”


Brenda Tilley


BRENDA Tilley (86) lived locally her whole life. She lived in Fant Lane, Maidstone, from 1967 until her death. Born Brenda May in Burham, shewent to Maidstone Grammar School for Girls and worked for the Post Office before moving on to do the books for F .W. Tilley and Brother. Brendawas mother


to Kevin and Caroline and stepmother to Sue, Christopher, Jane and


Nick. Caroline said: “My mother loved gardening andwatching tennis. Shewas a


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32 Malling July 2017


good tennis player in her younger days and a member of the Royal Observer Corps. “People will remember her as a happy and


chay person who got on with everyone. Her family will remember her as a loving mother and grandmother.” Brenda, whowas widowed in 2015, leaves


Kevin and Caroline, grandchildren Kaleb, Myah, Christopher, Samantha and Mahew, step-children and their families, including three great grandchildren.


Mike Evans


MIKE Evans has been described as a pillar of the community in the village of Leeds. His local parish magazine noted: “The tragedy is that his workwas still in full flow when he suddenly died.” Mike and his wife Judi served in a number


of roles for St Margaret’s Church. Hewas a long-serving member of Leeds and Broomfield’s Parochial Church Council and his annual duties included management of the carol service, helping with their book sale and running theweekly café in the porch. Mike had experience from a business


career that also proved valuable to his community work and he managed advertising sales for Leeds and Broomfield Church and Village News. As a local author, he had wrien The


Upper Len Valley and the World Outside, which was featured in the village news magazine. Mike’s knowledge of local history also led to him writing other articles for the local magazine. His passing has also been marked by


Mike’s local branch of the Royal British Legion who described him as a “stalwart member” who “will be greatly missed.” Mike leaves his wife and family.


DorisWilliams


DORISWilliams (95)was resident at Holly Villas, Bearsted, from 1971 and lived in the local area for most of her life. Born Doris Griffin, near Bredhurst, she worked as a nanny before retraining as a nurse, serving in this capacity during the war at hospitals in Bromley and the Medway Towns. Doris married Roy


and together they brought up children Pauline, Adrian and


Brian. The family lived inWigmore and Chatham before Doris and Roy moved near Bredgar for a couple of years, before seling in Bearsted. Brian said: “My motherwas a fairly quiet person whowas always very helpful to others. “She maintained her nursing skills by working as a volunteer over many years for the Red Cross and also worked at Twyford House, whichwas part of Linton Hospital, where she worked with people who had significant disabilities. Shewas also passionate about gardening.” Doris – whowas widowed in 2008 after 65


years of marriage – leaves her children and her grandchildren Gordon and Martin.


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