downsmail.co.uk PeterWilding Jones


PETERWilding Jones (87) lived in central Maidstone for 50 years. Before that, he resided inHeadcorn,where his fatherwas the local postmaster. Having earned a scholarship to Su�on Valence School, Peter beganwork in the Post Officewith his father. Hewent on towork


in a number of local roles, including a sales jobwith Vaughans fireplace shop on Tonbridge Road (whichwas then


on the opposite side of the road to the current shop), 25 yearsworking for the print union SOGAT and finally in a garage on Rawdon Road, Tovil,where he filled cars for customers. Peterwasmarried to Ivy for 65 years,


and the couple spent 73 years together, having started their romance as teenagers. Hewas father to Peter, Sally and Katherine (Kate). Kate said: “My fatherwas an intelligent


and creative personwhowrote poetry, whichwas used on family occasions, and painted pictures. “His ability to be articulate and solve


problemswas a great asset in his union work, but his creative talentswere put to many uses. Onewhich satisfied himthe mostwaswhen he finally got to play Santa Claus to a play group,where the audience included two of his granddaughters.He was so good that even they didn’t spot him. “Hewas involved and active to the end


of his life.He andmymother ran an over 60s club at the Rosemary GrahamCentre, in Parkwood,when theywere in their late 70s.” Peter leaves hiswife, children, 12


grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.


John andMarinaMorrison THE deaths of John andMarinaMorrison (84 and 83 respectively) occurredwithin a fortnight of each other. The pair –who lived in Fant –werewell-


known locally as stalwarts of Labour politics,with four decades asmembers and


campaigners for Labour causes. Both had fought election campaigns and


John held the ParkWoodward from1980 to 2002, in one election polling 71%of the votes.He also spent a year from2002 as elected representative for Fant. A joint funeral took place at Vinters Park


Crematorium,withmany of the couple’s peers and Labour colleagues in a�endance.


JimGibson


JAMES “Jim” Gibson (70), of Penenden Heath,Maidstone, died peacefully at home. Jimwas born and grewup in South


Dakota, USA, and studiedmusic and English atHoughton College,NewYork. He completed a Ph.D in English at University of Pennsylvania,where hemet hiswife of 20 years, Lizzie. Jimlectured in


English literature and writing atHoughton


College, before coming to Kent on sabbatical in 1984 to begin editing the Kent volumes for international research project Records of Early English Drama. Jimchose to remain in Kent, producing


several books and scholarly articles on Shakespearean andmedieval drama. Alongside his own research, hewas archivist to the Rochester Bridge Trust for 30 years and undertook periodic archival projectswith historical charities and the University of Kent. Daughter Rosie said: “People knewmy


father as a gentle,wise and considerate manwith a dry sense of humour and a hearty laugh.Hewas deeply appreciated by his colleagues and loved by his family and friends.Hewill bemissed tremendously.” Jimloved to play bridge, bake bread (a


frequent gift to friends) and readwidely. He played violinmost of his life, and spent many years in theMaidstone Symphony Orchestra.He also taught violin to children, including his own. Jimpreached regular sermons as a lay reader atHoly Cross Church, Bearsted. He is survived by his sister Pat, children


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Nicholas and Rosie, and his grandchildren, Lois and Eleanor.


Grace Evelyn Benne


GRACE Evelyn Benne� (103) has died at the Lavenders,WestMalling. Shemoved to the areawith her three


children in 1957, to be near her sister after the death of Grace’s first husband Harry. In 1970, Gracemarried localwidower


John Bennet and the couple se�led in Whiteheads Lane, Bearsted. John died suddenly after 10 years ofmarriage. but Grace continued to live in Bearsted. Gracewas born in October 1914, one of


eight children. Sheworked as a telephonist doing shiftwork throughout the Bli� in London. Her first husbandwas awildlife artist. Theymarried during the war at Epping Church, Essex, and lived together in awatermill on the Essex/Suffolk border. DaughterMerrilyn said: “Mymother


was president of theMadgingford Women’s Institute on two occasions in the 70s and 80s and was always an enthusiastic, activemember of the amateur dramatics section, the darts team, the crafts group and organisedmany outings. “Therewere three branches of theWI in


Bearsted in those days. She also ran the Over 60s Club in Bearsted until shewas in hermid-80s. She spentmany hours making children’s clothes to be distributed inAfrica and OuterMongolia,winning an award for herwork. “Shewill be sadlymissed.”


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, from1982 to 1999. Joy leaves her husband Roger and sons, Barry and Colin.


FredMalle


FREDERICK James “Fred”Malle� (83) will be remembered as landlord formany years of theWho’d a Thought It pub in Headcorn Road, Grafty Green. Fred –who died on 14March – leaves his wife Joan, children Richard, Joe and Leigh- Anne and his grandchildren.


THE STONE SHOP EAST FARLEIGH


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Obituaries


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