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downsmail.co.uk Ron Green


RON Green (73), who died suddenly at his home in Lilehampton, West Sussex, was a towering figure in Kent journalism. He lived and


worked in the county for decades, with spells in many towns, including Maidstone. He retired from the Kent Messenger Group in 2010, two days short of his 30th anniversary with the company. His roles with the group


included editor of the Kent Messenger. Ron promoted local awards schemes


such as the Pride in Medway and Pride of Maidstone Awards and received a certificate of merit from Kent’s Chief Constable for running the Kent Young People’s Respect Awards. Ron presided over a period of success


for his paper, during which it became the highest-selling weekly newspaper in the country. After retirement, he was presented with a Shepherd Neame Lifetime Achievement Award. Ron grew up in the Medway Towns and


met his wife of 53 years, Paulene, when they worked on the Chatham News. They have a son Adrian and daughter Julia. After his retirement from the KM, Ron taught journalism at the University of Kent and continued to write, notably with a popular Codger column in the Medway Messenger. He died suddenly at home, after a heart


aack. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from former colleagues, many praising his abilities as a journalist and manager of people. He leaves his wife, children, five


grandchildren and one step-grandchild.


Jo Whitehurst JOANNE “Jo” Whitehurst (59) ran the Cock Inn at Boughton Monchelsea for many years, with her husband Dave. Born Joanne Hudson in


Noinghamshire, she grew up in her home county. Jo’s early jobs included


being deputy head of a special needs school. She moved to a similar job in Hemel Hempstead before returning to the peak district to manage a hotel in Derbyshire. She met her husband Dave Whitehurst when she was a customer in the Boat House Inn in Matlock, which he ran. He said: “I poached her and employed her as my chef.” The couple ran the hotel in Matlock


before moving to Boughton Monchelsea, where they turned the Cock Inn into a thriving business. Dave said: “Jo and I knew each other for


35 years and got married in 2004. Her larger-than-life personality set the tone in the pub. She wouldn’t tolerate any rudeness. Her heart was massive, and she had a matriarchal presence at the pub. I’ve had over 250 cards, the response to us losing her has been overwhelming.” Jo leaves her husband.


Jean Brunger


JEAN Brunger (79) lived and worked locally until moving to Surrey in 1968. Born Jean Weller in Nelestead, she began playing the organ at church services as a teenager and was organist at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Nelestead from 1953 until 1968. She was also a member of the Girls’ Brigade locally from 1946 to 1965. In 1967, she married Eddie Brunger. The


following year his work took them to Surrey, and then to Essex. Jean worked in the probation service, as


a school secretary and as a caseworker for the armed forces charity SSAFA. Her cousin Trevor Verrall said: “She was


a very outgoing and organised person. Her love of music continued throughout her life. She and Eddie were also involved in training choristers.” Jean, who was widowed in 2003, leaves


four cousins. Gaily Catalla


GAILY Catalla, who lost his fight against Covid-19 on April 13, was a nurse who


lived in Maidstone having graduated from Our Lady of Fatima University in his native Philippines. A social media tribute on the Facebook


page of the university praised Gaily as “a fierce frontliner…who fought to the very end. In the face of the crisis, he continued to compassionately care for his patients.” Gaily’s colleagues knew him as kind and generous, and someone who loved to party. A former fellow student, Pinky Bustamante, who was re-united with Gaily in 2018, noted: “There was no dull moment with him.” The online tribute from his university


concluded: “Gaily was a nurse with a big heart. He had so much love for his family, his friends, his profession, and his patients—his life was truly dedicated to those around him. Gaily will always be an inspiration to all who treasure him.”


Emma Jane Mulholland


THE death from cancer of Emma Jane Mulholland (32) made national news. The mother of two was the partner of Maidstone-raised Laurie Vincent, guitarist with Tunbridge Wells punk band, Slaves. Laurie posted an


emotional tribute on Instagram telling Emma Jane: “You showed me what love means. I will love you forever.”


Emma Jane’s youngest child, Summer


Jane, celebrated her first birthday just two weeks before her mother died. The family posted a picture of themselves on the day, with Emma Jane saying: “So biersweet, our first and last birthday spent together.” Sister Amy said in a comment to Emma Jane: “Everyone keeps saying ‘your sister was so strong’ but in truth they have no idea just how strong.” Emma Jane leaves Laurie, her son and


her daughter.


Ron Collins RONALD Arthur “Ron” Collins, formerly of Collier Street and Maidstone, died in Greatham, Hampshire on April 11. He leaves his wife, Ann, and family.


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