downsmail.co.uk Lilian Rootes


LILIAN Rootes (96) lived in Loose for 30 years after a lengthy period in the Weald of Kent as a child and young woman. Born Lilian Agnes Kilner to


farmworking parents she moved with her family, living in Ryarsh, Laddingford, Collier Street and Nettlestead. She began work in service to the


Chambers family of Collier Street with


duties which included babysitting their young daughters (one of whom attended Lilian’s funeral) and delivering meat on her bicycle.


Lilian married farmworker Donald Rootes, and the couple became parents to Lyn and Sheila. Lilian did farmwork and worked as a housekeeper for the Vinson family. Later, she was employed as a carer at the Greensted Care Home in Wateringbury. Her husband worked as a bakery delivery man and as a drayman. Sheila said: “My mother was kind and generous and would help whoever she could. After she retired, she worked for 18 years as volunteer in the Heart of Kent Hospice coffee shop. She left at the age of 92, by which time she had earned a few long service medals. She loved gardening, knitting and reading.” Lilian,who was widowed in 1996, leaves her daughters, grandchildren: Stephen, Mark and Sarah and great-grandchildren Josh, Tom, Ben and Sam.


Ian Firmin


IAN Maurice Firmin (72), from Linton, was a director of local haulage and property firm, Firmins.


Born in Linton and educated at Kings School, Rochester, where his prowess as a bowler earned him a mention in Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac, Ian spent a gap year in Australia before joining the family firm at Wares Farm. His early days were spent in a range of jobs, but he gradually took a leading role


in the business. Ian served as a director from 1970 until 2019, running the


company with his brother Paul after their father stood down in 1990. Paul said: “Ian was a parish councillor in Linton for around 20


years. He played hockey as a winger for Marden and had a trial for Kent. He turned out for Mote Cricket Club’s Champagne XI and wasa keen golfer.” Nephew Michael added: “My uncle had a strong sense of humour. He enjoyed trips to London for good food and drink, and time in pubs including the Three Chimneys and Lord Raglan. He was also a motoring enthusiast and owned some fine cars.”


Jean Brown


JEAN Margaret Brown (94) died 17 days short of her 95th birthday. She lived in the Shepway and Senacre areas of Maidstone from 1948 until her death. Born Jean Margaret Medhurst in Trottiscliffe, she was one of nine siblings.


She sang in the local church choir in the 1930s and


worked in domestic service in the village until taking up


munitions work during the war at Tilling Stevens. Jean later married Bernard Brown. The couple were married for 67 years, but in the early years, Bernard’s Army duties kept him away from home. Jean and Bernard were parents to Malcolm, Andrew and Denise. Jean took on various jobs after raising her children, working at The Bull on Gabriel’s Hill, as a receptionist at Mote Park Leisure Centre and cleaning work. Malcolm said: “My mother and Bernard


travelled widely, making five trips to see me in Canada” Jean, who was widowed in 2012, leaves


her children, grandchildren Claire, Darran and Francesca and great-grandchildren Sofia and Joshua.


Hazel Hambleton


HAZEL Marie Hambleton has died at the age of 73, following a long battle with Huntington’s disease with which she was diagnosed in 2009. She was born Hazel Minchington in Devon, and after leaving school, took a job with the Royal Exchange Insurance Co in Exeter, later Guardian Royal Exchange. She and husband David moved to Maidstone in 1971 where she worked for insurance brokers, Willis Corroon. She took redundancy in 1997 and went on to work as a carer at the Grove residential home in Bower Mount Road. She remained there until 2004, when she took up voluntary work with Age UK. David said: ”Hazel loved people and being in the centre of things. People remember her as a very kind person and her smile and sense of humour are still remembered by those who knew her. “She enjoyed cooking and travel to European countries. Hazel’s brother who lived in Vancouver, was also diagnosed with Huntington’s and died in 2011. “Hazel finally moved into a care home where she received excellent care.”


Pat Laws


PAT Laws (92) will be remembered for her tireless work in the community. She moved to Bearsted in 1963, from Hampshire, and joined Bearsted and Thurnham WI. In 1966, she helped start Madginford Schools PTA, becoming secretary, then


chairwoman. In 1970, she became president of the WI. She also started monthly group walks.


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In 1974, she started Bearsted Age Concern, and became an executive of Maidstone Age Concern. She also found time to start a pop-in centre/lunch club at the Methodist Chapel. In 1977, she formed the Age Concern Foot Clinic at Bearsted Surgery. She was elected on to Bearsted Parish Council in 1978 and continued until 1991. In the 1980s, Pat worked on the steering committee to create Madginford Hall. She and husband Patrick helped form Bearsted and Thurnham Tennis and Bowls Clubs. Pat received the Mynn Award from Bearsted Parish Council for her service to the community. Pat leaves three sons, one grandson and one great granddaughter with another great grandchild due.


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