downsmail.co.uk Kirsten Charsley
THE unexpected death of music teacher Kirsten Charsley (45) shocked staff and students at Mapleston Noakes School, where she had worked for 16 years. Kirsten, the school’s head of music, had worked at Rainham School for Girls before moving to Mapleston Noakes in Great Buckland Road. The mother of one lived in Heath Road, Langley.
Originally from Hertfordshire, Kirsten graduated with a degree in music from Kingston University in Surrey . She had a particular strength as an “enabler” of non-academic students and brought caring and empathy to her work. Kirsten had recently strengthened these skills by completing a counselling course. Her father Malcolm has spoken of his daughter’s “troublesome” teenage years, but expressed the opinion that her own experience was central to her ability to connect with youngsters going through similar experiences. Students mentored by Kirsten have gone on to stage schools and using their skills in their own careers. Kirsten was mother to 23-year-old Jamie, who was brought up by her parents after she became pregnant at university. Her death in Maidstone Hospital on
August 19, from multiple organ failure and pneumonia, followed an initial period of stomach pains. It was unexpected and not Covid-related. Her parents had seen her a few weeks earlier and she was ne. Mapleston Noakes has offered counselling to staff or pupils impacted by Kirsten’s death.
Head teacher Richard Owen said: “Kirsten was a wonderful, caring, talented and dedicated member of staff who just wanted to give her students the best possible start in life and we will all miss her terribly. “Both staff and students are trying to come to terms with this tragic news and our hearts go out to Kirsten’s family. “Her selessness and her genuine care
for everyone else, embodied what we stand for. We are supporting each other as a school community because that is our biggest strength and Kirsten was part of that strength. Kirsten leaves her son and her parents.
Anne Rexstrew
EMILY Rose “Anne” Rexstrew (75) lived in the Upper Fant area of Maidstone for 45 years.
Born in Greenwich as Emily Squibb and raised in
Bermondsey, she began work in a distillery before moving to the local area, where she worked as a carer and in local nursing homes.
By the time Anne’s
rst marriage broke down, she was
mother to Simon and Amanda. She later married lorry driver Terry Rexstrew and the couple had children Daniel and Sarah. Anne died a few days short of her 43rd wedding anniversary with Terry. Terry said: “Anne was mainly a home- maker who raised her family, but she had a real talent for craftwork and would make and adapt things for our home, and the homes of many other people. “Sometimes she would be asked to make a particular item, which she did with great pleasure. It has been a real comfort to us to see so many mentions in the condolence cards and messages, and that people can just look around their home and be reminded of Anne. “She also loved gardening and her cats. Her home was her sanctuary, as it is for all the family, who will continue to spend time there. People will remember Anne as someone who could be forthright and knew her own mind, but who got on well with people. She was one of seven children and her siblings are spread between south London and Australia.” Anne leaves her husband, three children (son Daniel died in infancy), grandchildren; Reece, Bradley, Sadye, Courtnay, Emily, Jason, Soraya and Elijah and her seven great-grandchildren.
Stuart King
STUART King (98) who has died in Folkestone was the founder of the Mission Aviation Fellowship.
The Kent-based charity is dedicated to using air transport to help those in need. The organisation’s website paid tribute, noting: “Stuart began a lifelong mission to reach the most isolated and forgotten people
using aviation and technology. This vision has become Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) – an international Christian charity and the world’s largest humanitarian airline.”
Stuart’s vision for his work came after
wartime service in the RAF and the realisation that the war had developed the capabilities of aircraft, which could be used in a positive way to reach remote places in need of help.
Stuart and his friend and co-founder of the charity, RAF Squadron Leader Jack Hemmings, were lucky to escape a crash in Burundi, but safety became a priority and the early years were spent supplying Christian missionaries, with the building of reliable airstrips a priority. From its Kent headquarters MAF now co-ordinates a massive international program. The website of Christianity Today notes:
“MAF ies to more than 1,400 remote locations in 26 developing countries— more destinations than the six largest airlines in the world, combined.” Stuart’s work over the years covered all aspects of MAF’s operations, from maintaining and updating the eet of aircraft to piloting the planes. In 2016, he received the Chevalier in the Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur from France to mark his contribution to liberating the country in the war. Stuart, whose wife Phyllis pre-deceased him, leaves three children, seven grandchildren, and six great- grandchildren.
Roger Eiffert
A DEATH announcement has appeared for Roger Eiffert, known as “Roger the Dodger” and described as a “Stone Street boy through and through. A much loved dad and grandad.” Roger died on August 10, and his funeral service took place on August 25.
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