downsmail.co.uk Ian Durbin
IAN Durbin (78),who lived formore than 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 Bay, and Clarks College, Bromley. Hewas one of the lastmen to be called up for National Service, and served for 18months in the Royal Navy. He began hisworking 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.
Jeanee Howes THE death in Swindon has been announced of former Bearsted and Barming resident Jeanee Howes (84). Born JeaneeWhitaker, in Bearsted, she
aended ThurnhamSchool, Bearsted School (on the site of the present library building) andMaidstone Technical School. Jeanee startedwork in the catering
industry before joining The Royal Insurance Company inMaidstone,which she had to leave in 1957 due to her forthcomingmarriage to Keith (itwas policy not to employmarriedwomen). Jeanee became amother toMartin and
Philippa,who said: “My parents lived in Barming from1957 to 1975 beforemoving to the Roseacre
estate.Mymotherwas the perfect and aentive home-makerwho could turn her hand to any task. Her hobbies included floristry,watercolour
painting, embroidery andmany craft activities. “Shewas involvedwith several
organisations including theWI and Bearsted Local History Society andwas an activemember of BearstedMethodist Church. She also helped outwith the Brownies andGuides.” Widowed in 1993, Jeaneemoved to
Swindon in 2014 to bewith her daughter, who she leaves, and five grandchildren. Her sonMartin pre-deceased her.
Joy Sage
THE death has been reported of former local head teacher Joy Sage (79). Born in Lamberhurst, Joyworked in the local area as a teacher and – eventually – deputy head ofAllington Primary School, from 1982 to 1999. Joy leaves her husband Roger and sons Barry and Colin.
BrendaHarris
BRENDA Harris (85), ofWeavering,met with outstanding sporting successes. Slight in stature but high in natural ball
talent, in her youth she excelled at netball (representing Brighton and Hove High School), hockey and tennis. But her fortewas
golf.With a handicap in her prime of 5 she metwithmany competitive successes as amember of Bearsted Golf Club. She and husband Tim joined in 1970, she
was ladies’ captain in 1985 and supported Timas President from2007 to 2010. Her early careerwaswith an estate
agent in Barclays Bank in Brighton, but aftermarriage in 1956, Tim’s business brought themtoMaidstone, first to Willington Street and then toWeavering. Brendawas a volunteerwith Save the
She leaves Tim, children Debbie,
Andrew, Julie and Stuart, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
SylviaAnn Prior
SYLVIAAnn Prior (79) lived in Vinters Park for 45 years. Born Sylvia Kirrage in Lambeth, south London, she grewup in the capital andmarried husband Fred. Sheworked as a seamstress, including forMarks & Spencer, beforemoving locally, fromNewMalden, Surrey,when Fred got a job inAshford. Sylvia raised
supermarkets – and school cleaning. Fred said: “Sylvia had the kind of
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came first in her life – she loved her garden and being among her flowers.” Sylvia leaves her husband, children,
seven grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.
PatriciaWakefield Medway Blinds & Curtains
PATRICIA “Pat”Wakefield (83) (nee Parfi) lived inAllington for 16 years and was resident locally from1964when she and husband Johnmoved to Barming from Hayes End in Middlesex for John’s job. The pairwere
married for 56 years andwere parents to Steven and Tracy. Aftr bringing up her
Children, helped in theirMaidstone shop for 28 years and only her illness prevented presentation of a certificate by Princess Anne last year. She helpedwith patient trolleys inMaidstone Hospital for 14 years. Shewas also a keenmember of Maidstone’s InnerWheel.
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several years as a school dinner lady at Barming school and also as award clerk when the newMaidstone Hospital opened John said: “Patwas good at baking and
sewing andwas a very giving and caring person. She always looked after her family,who always came first.” Pat leaves her husband and children.
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