downsmail.co.uk GlendaGoldfinch


GLENDAJoyceGoldfinch (77),who lived in the Boxley Road area,was known for years of involvement in theMaidstone Beauvais TwinningAssociation (MBTA). FellowmemberMichael Yates noted:


“Glenda and her husband took steps to revitalize theMBTA in the 1980s and led many activities involving youth groups.” Glenda joined the


MBTAin 1991.Her husbandNigel served as its treasurer and shewent on to chair the association.


Glenda’s chairmanship lasted fromthe


mid-90s until a fewyears ago,when ill health forced her to curtail her activities. She showed a strong commitment to the


association, especiallywhenMaidstone Borough Council decided to restrict funding to the twinning association. Glenda helped the association develop its constitution. Glenda,whowas fromthe Canterbury


area, leaves four sons, seven grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren.


Debs Pryer


DEBORAH“Debs” Pryer (60) lived locally fromthe age of 13,most recently near Oakwood Park. She had also lived on Wheeler Street, in LombardHouse and inDover Street. She a�ended


InvictaGrammar School and later worked as a trainee cook at the Cheshire Home inMote Park,


beforeworking in pubs. Debs and her first husbandGrahame


had daughter Jaime. She latermarried Martin and becamemother to Rose. She went towork for Trading Standards in 1989, beforemoving to KCC’s communications section at CountyHall.


Following a redundancy,Debs became a communications consultant andworked at the Blackthorn Trust in its restaurant before giving cookery lessons. Husband of 15 yearsHoward said: “The


messageswe’ve hadmention howshe enriched the lives of others,was dynamic, loving and thoughtful. She livedwith cancer for the final 10 years of her life, but maintained that spirit.” Debs leaves her husband, daughters and


grandchildrenHarry, Blake,William, Lilly and Finley,with another grandchild expected inDecember.


Daphne Letchford


DAPHNE Letchford (93), an only child, grewup inMaidstone and lived inMote Avenue for 63 years. She a�ended St


Michael’s School and was one of the first pupils at the TechnicalHigh School, nowknown as InvictaGrammar School. Shewent to Girls Junior Commercial School and later taught


shorthand andworked for KCC. DaphnemarriedDonald Letchford in


August 1949.Hewas a teacher at Westborough School andDaphne later helped himin the running of theAdult Education there and atAstor ofHever. She enjoyed adult education classes


herself, including yoga and English, taking amodernGCSE and later ten pin bowling and learning to swim. She had a great love of animals, and passers-bywere often amazed at the goats in her front garden. Daphne,whowaswidowed, leaves her


four children, Jill, Carol, Sheila and Ian and eight grandchildren.


GeorgeMathews


GEORGE JamesMathews (90) lived in the local area almost all of his life, for the last 44 years in Barming and previously near Mote Park and inMaidstone. His only significant absence camewith


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32 Maidstone East January 2019


18months ofNational Service serving in Egyptwith the RoyalAir Force. His educationwasmainly at Loose School and MaidstoneGrammar School and after National Service, George joined the office at the Fremlins Brewery, going on to serve 44 yearswith the company. George put himself through night school


to become a surveyor.Heworked in surveying for the brewery, visiting pubs and dealingwith a range of structural issues, until he retired.Georgewas married toNora for 65 years andwas father to Linda. Nora said: “Georgewas a quietman


who loved gardening and sport. In his younger days, he played cricket for the King Street Church Youth Club.Hewas also amember of BearstedGolf Club and one of the longest supporters ofMaidstone United.He became a supporter in his teens and a�ended games right up to the current season. “Hewaswell-liked.Despiteworking for


a brewery chain hewas teetotal.” George leaves hiswife, daughter,


grandchildrenDavid and Jennifer and great-granddaughters Isobel and Imogen.


Derek Edwards


DEREK EDWARDS (84),who lived his whole life in BoughtonMonchelsea,was a timbermerchant.He spent 60 years working for himself. Derek served an apprenticeship as an


agricultural engineer, and established his own business,D.A. Edwards Timber Merchants. The business startedwith tree felling and selling logs but over the years itmoved into building bespoke items, sawn timber and fencing. Derek’s sonAlan


and grandsonMa�worked alongside him. Derekwasmarried toAnn for almost 60


years, and brought up their children,Alan and Julie. Alan said: “Work and the outdoorsweremy father’s passions.He had a strongwork ethic and instilled that into his children. He lovedworking and especiallymeeting people and cha�ing to themabout his life experiences. “We’ve hadmessages fromvillagers


saying BoughtonMonchelsea has lost one of its characters.Hewas amember of the parish council formany years and trustee of the BoughtonMonchelsea Social Club.” Derek leaves hiswife, children and


grandchildren Thomas,William,Ma�hew, Hannah and Jessica. Hewill be greatly missed by them, friends and customers.


There is no charge for our obituary service. CallNeilNixon on 01622 630422 or email neilnixon22@gmail.com


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