downsmail.co.uk Shirley Lowry
SHIRLEY Lowry (53), waswell known in Maidstone area as a life celebrant. Shewas ordained aministerwith
Maidstone Independent Christian Spiritualist Church eight years ago, following 25 years with Lloyds Bank. She conducted weddings, blessings, baby namings and many local funerals. Shirleymarried
local funeral director Michael Lawrence at BoughtonMonchelsea Church inApril last
year after consultants discovered she had untreatable cancers. At that time,Michaelwas president of
the Rotary Club of theWeald and Shirley a member of the Rotary Club ofMaidstone. Current president Velia LeQuelenec said: “Shewas a lovely, happy personwho greeted everyonewarmlywith a smile.” Shirley lived formany years in
Egremont Road, Bearsted, but recently she andMichaelmoved to Headcorn. Her funeral is at BoughtonMonchelsea Church onWednesday, February 21, 12pm.
Tony Craig ANTHONY Charles “Tony” Craig (81), originally fromLondon, lived locally from 1965, after he queued up to buy a house in Holtwood.
He lived there for
28 yearswith Joan, hiswife of 52 years, beforemoving to East
Malling.After the move, Tony took up an accountancy role with Kimberley Clark. He spent 25 years there,moving fromtheir accounts
department to become a car fleetmanager. He thenmoved to Reed’s paper group, retiring fromthe company after it became SCA. He returned to SCA part-time as a consultant dealingwith its car fleet. Tonywas father toAndrea and Nicola.
Wife Joan said: “Tony loved his sport and Kimberley Clark had a great sports club.
He played competitive table tennis for the company and continued into his retirement. He played for Barming in the Kent League, really enjoying hismatches for veterans. Hewas also involvedwith the twinning ofMaidstone and Beauvais formore than 40 years.”
JeanAdams
JEANAdamswonmany top prizes at Chelsea Flower Showand Kent County Showfor the high quality pansies she and her husbandWally grewin their garden at Hazeldene, Dean Street, East Farleigh. When they retired fromthe business
theymoved to Headcorn. Jeanwas a long-standingmember of
East Farleigh Parish Council and included in her duties planting the horse trough outside the churchwith flowers and arranging li�er picking days. Shewas also a village allotment trustee.
Reg Sharp
THE death has been reported in Stoke on Trent of Reg Sharp (91), formerly of Headcorn and Ulcombe and husband of the late Joy.
Geoff Smith
BOXLEY Parish Council has paid tribute to local councillor Geoff Smith (84),who served from1998 to 2016. Bob Hinder, current council chairman,
said Geoffwas “a kind, gentle and hardworkingmanwho gave a lot of his time and energy to the various communities he lived and served in.” Geoff’s councilworkwas notable for his
interest in the natural environment, an interest he brought with himfromNew Zealand,where he had a smallholding. Hiswork locally ensured that issues like tree planting andmaintaining rights of waywere always high on the Boxley Parish Council agenda. He had taken a particular pride of local
developments of allotments and the Weavering Diamond Jubilee Orchard. Prince Edward, Duke ofWessex,was welcomed by Geoff to the opening of the orchard. He had strong connections to St William’s church inWalderslade and to
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All Saints in Boxley,where his funeral took place.
Hilda Nelson
THE death has been announced in Dorset of Hilda Nelson (96), a former head teacherwhoworked in the local area. Educated at Lord Digby School in Sherborne, Dorset, Hilda trained as a teacher at St Gabriel’s in London, starting her teaching career in 1941. Shemoved to Kent in the early 50s, living in Sevenoaks, Cranbrook and aroundMaidstone. Hilda taught history
and needlework and rose to become head teacher at theMary Sheafe School for Girls in
Cranbrook.After the schoolwas amalgamated in 1971, going on to become a noted sports college, Hilda joined KCC’s bank staff of head teachers,working on a relief basis around theMaidstone area. NephewMichael Nelson said: “My aunt
was verymuch a lady and teacher of the old school. She held traditional values very dear butwas also capable of reaching out to others. Shewas a prison visitor at Maidstone Prison and did braille transcriptionwork, turning published works into braille editions. Shewas dedicated in her service to the Royal British Legion – earning a 20-year badge in recognition for her efforts. Shewas a regularworshipper at StMargaret’s Church inAddington,where her needlework skills included an altar cloth.” Hildamoved back toDorset 10 years ago.
Deborah Draper
THE death has been announced at home in Folkestone of Deborah Elizabeth Draper (68), formerly of Bearsted. Deborahworked as a home carer locally
andwas often seen on her bicycle. Shewasmarried to Rupert andmother
to Giles, James and Ben. Her death announcement said: “She
spent her life caring for others,working as a home carer inMaidstone formany years…Deborahwas themost beautiful lady inside and out, themost amazing mumand nan.” Deborah leaves her husband, children and grandchildren.
THE STONE SHOP EAST FARLEIGH
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01622 726633 FREE CAR PARK NEXT TO SHOP There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email
nlnxn@aol.com Maidstone March 2018
Obituaries
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