downsmail.co.uk Sarah Imelda Taylor
THE death has been announced of Sarah Imelda Taylorwho lived in the Boxley Road area from1975. Born SarahHayden, the eldest of five sisters in Ireland, Sarah worked as a nurse and carer for the elderly andwas known as Imelda to her family. She came to England
in the 50s to train as a nurse andmet her husband of 37 years, John Taylor,when she was nursing in
Granthamin Lincolnshire. The couple married in 1958 andmovedwith John’s work in engineering to Devon, before coming to theMaidstone area. Johnworked for engineering firmBlaw
Knox in Rochester and Sarahworked in local hospitals at Linton and Oakwood House. Shewasmother to Susan, Steven, Anne and Vicki. Son Steven said: “Ourmother knewfrom
her own upbringing that life could be hard, and sheworked hard tomake surewe had the support and opportunitieswewanted. “Formany years shewas a regular
worshipper at St Francis’ Catholic Church in
town.Afterworking in local hospitals she finished herworking life in care homes, working at BartyHouse for 10 years until shewas 74 years old. “She liked nothing be�er than socialising
and relaxing andwas always forward looking and interested inwhatwas happening in theworld. “Shewas also a keen gardener and liked
to be always decorating and organising family dinners.” Sarah –whowaswidowed in 1996 –
leaves her children, seven grandchildren and her four surviving sisters.
WesleyGurney
THE death ofWesley Gurney (41),who hadmoved to theMaidstone area from Canterbury to re-start his life,made local headlines. Wesley had experienced problems earlier
in his life including issueswith drink and drugs, but friends and family had noticed
howhe looked and seemed to be in a be�er place since hismove. He died as the result of choking on a
piece of steak after going out for ameal. Wesley,who grewup inWhitstable,was
a football fanwho had had a series of jobs beforemoving to the county town. EmmaMcCrudden, Outreach and Project
Lead of the Catching Lives charity that helpedWesley in the Canterbury area, said: "Wesleywaswell-liked and leaves behind a devastated family. “I had the pleasure ofworkingwith
Wesley for sometime.His funeralwaswell a�ended by family and friends.Hewill be missed bymany.”
ShelaghDurbridge
THE death has been announced of Shelagh Durbridge of Vinters Park. Shelagh, who passed away peacefully at
theHeart ofKentHospice, ran the transport office at Voluntary Action Maidstone for many years,when itwas based inMarsham Street. She later helped to care for her elderly
mother and pursued her love ofwalking. Her friend and former colleague, Irene
Oxlet, said: “Shelagh's knowledge of the Kent countryside and surrounding villages was amazing. She will be much missed by allwho knewher.”
JuneHomewood
THE death has been announced of June Homewood, of EastMalling. Junewaswife to David andmother to
Steven, David,Marc andAllan.A tribute described June as “a dedicatedwife, a perfectmumand the best grandmother.” June leaves her husband, sons and grandsons:Mark, Jon, Philip and James.
JeanMutimer THE funeral took place on 16 July of Jean EleanorMutimer (79). Jeanwas known as a local GPwithmany
years of service, and also a commi�ed Christian.A death announcement described her as “a very special loving sister, aunt and dear friend.A caring and respectedMaidstone GP formany years.”
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34 Maidstone East September 2018 Her funeral took place at The Vine
Church, Shepway, followed by an interment atMaidstone cemetery. Donationswere given to theMS Society.
JimBoswell
Arthur James (Jim) Boswell (93) joined Rotary in 1966 and served as District Governor for Kent and East Sussex and President of the Rotary clubs of both Rochester and Maidstone in a lifetime of service to voluntary organisations. A Yorkshireman, he
movedwith his family to Kent in 1933, joined theHome Guard at 17
andwas drafted in to the Royal Engineers to serve in France after D Day. His career as a surveyor ultimately led
himto formhis own building business. Hewas a keen sportsman and enjoyed
cricket, football and golf. HemarriedAline in 1974 and they finally
se�led inMarden.He leaves hiswife, son Martin and daughter CllrAnnabelle Blackmore, former leader ofMaidstone Council.
Clive King
THE death of Stig of the Dump author Clive King (94)made national headlines. King’s best-known and best-sellingwork
Stig of the Dump sold over twomillion copies and had three television adaptations. The bookwas partly inspired by King’s
childhood in the local area and features a story about a primitive boy discovered living in a chalk pitwhich is also used as an unofficial rubbish dump. Francesca Dow–MD of publishers
Penguin RandomHouse – said: “The book's depiction of the vivid interior life and imagination of a child, the delight of roaming free,making shelters and dens away fromthe grown-ups, aswell as ideas such as the universal language of friendship feel as relevant today as they didwhen Puffin first published it in 1963.” King,whomoved fromKent to live
around theworld before se�ling in Norfolk, leaves his secondwife and three children.
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