downsmail.co.uk Ian Durbin


IAN Durbin (78),who lived for over 40 years in East Farleigh,waswell known locally after a long and successful career in insurance inMaidstone High Street. Ianwas born in Bromley in 1939 and was educated at Eddington House, Herne and Clarks College, Bromley. He was one of the last men to be called up for National Service, and served for 18 months in the Royal Navy. He began his working lifewith


Royal Insurance,moved to RTC Insurance, and later ran his own company,Mid Kent Insurance Serviceswith hiswife Ruth from1982 to 1997.After selling his business, Ian retired in 2005. Ianwas father toAndrew, Simon, and


Paul andmarried to Ruth for 53 years. Ian is remembered by his family and friends for his energy and optimism. Ian loved to travel, particularly to


maintain family tieswith his late father, stepmother, and his brothers and sisters in America, enjoyingmany visits to California and other parts of the US. He leaves hiswife, sons, grandchildren,


and a great grandchild, andwill be deeply missed by allwho knewhim.


Jeanee Howes


THE death in Swindon has been announced of former Bearsted and Barming resident Jeane�e Howes (84). Born Jeane�eWhitaker, in Bearsted, she


grewup locally a�ending Thurnham School, Bearsted School (on the site of the present library building) andMaidstone Technical School inAlbion Place. Jeane�e startedwork in the catering


industry before joining The Royal Insurance Company inMaidstone however, she had to leave her job in 1957 due to her forthcomingmarriage to Keith because itwas company policy not to employmarriedwomen. Jeane�e became amother toMartin and


Philippa,who said: “Mymotherwas the perfect and a�entive home-makerwho could turn her hand to any task.My


parents lived in Barming from1957 to 1975 beforemoving to the Roseacre estate. “Her hobbies included floristry,


watercolour painting, embroidery and many craft activities. Her baking and cake making skillswere often put to usewith birthday cakes andwedding cakes for her children and grandchildren. “Mymotherwas involvedwith several


organisations including theWomen’s Institute and Bearsted Local History Society andwas an activemember of BearstedMethodist Church. She also helped outwith the brownies and guides.” Widowed in 1993, Jeane�emoved to


Swindon in 2014 to bewith her daughter. She leaves her daughter – sonMartin pre- deceased her – and grandchildren Clare, Katy, Greg, Robert and Nick.


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.


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... Deborah was themost beautiful lady inside and out, themost amazingmumand nan.” Deborah leaves her husband, children and grandchildren.


MildredMatete Hlabi THE death of Ziwbabwean-born nurse MildredMatete Hlabi (43) in a car accident made local headlines. Themother of two worked at KIMS Hospital,Maidstone. Mildred,who lived inAshford, had


qualified as amidwife inAfrica andwas noted as someonewith a natural ability to care for others, including her blindmother inAfrica. Her husband,Moses, has paid tribute to a “very compassionate and kind lady”.


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Some 700 people paid tribute toMildred – whowas a deaconess in Fountain Church. She leaves her husband, daughter


Lenuecha (a university student) and son Leroy (a youth player at GillinghamFC).


John Croucher


THE death has been announced ofwell- known Leeds resident John Croucher (88). John lived in the same small co�age in


Upper Street formost of his life. He is remembered as a fine footballer


and cricketer in his youth, according to DavidWra�en, the Leeds & Broomfield Cricket Club groundsman. Johnwas a passionate gardener and


loved to growhis own vegetables and kept a neat plot right up until his final years. In recent times, John had suffered ill-


health although friends in the village rallied round to help him.


Martyn Brindley


MARTYNDavid Brindley (45) lived in Bearsted for 35 years, having lived in Headcorn and Penenden Heath before his familymoved to the village. Hewas educated at Vinters Boys and


TunbridgeWells College,where he earned the Chamfer Cup – for being a good studentwith good conduct. His studies continued at the University


of Leicester.Martyn became a chartered surveyor and combinedworking in that areawith long periods duringwhich he travelled theworld. He returned to studying and earned a master’s degree from the University of Northumbria and gained another


educational award – the Northern Counties Educational Prize. His father, David, said: “Martynmoved


to London for the final 15 years of his life. Hewas an exceptional student and brought his intelligence to bear on his work.His focuswas on public housing and, in particular, housing for families.His contribution to thisworkwas recognised with aNational RecognitionAward from TheHousingAssociation in 2016.” Martyn leaves his father andmother,


Valerie, his sister Helen and nieces Sophie and Holly.


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