Autumn 2009
Elizabeth (Betty) Cheadle (Mrs Gamble 1945). We are sorry to learn that Betty died in the Autumn, 2009. From a very young age, Betty was a friend of Jill and Jean Davidson as their parents knew each other well and from school Rosemary (Felix) Stevenson also became a lasting friend. Betty's, and her brother Colin's, parents had a chemist's shop in Whitstable. At school she was in Somerville House and spent many of her schooldays in Devon when the school was evacuated to Countess Wear. She progressed steadily through all the lessons and activities, being particularly good at painting and drawing. Betty married Jim Gamble and they had two sons, Rob and Harry. In Suffolk where they lived Betty was a very keen and successful golfer, winning many prizes. In her later years Betty was fortunate that her son, Harry, was able to return from Holland to care for her although she did eventually reside in a nursing home. Jean and her friends enjoyed dropping in on her when they could; and, as lifelong Ashford friends, they attended her funeral service.
We are sorry to learn of the death of
Nisha Walia (Mrs Harries) on Friday 25th September 2009.
Nisha's funeral will be held at Thornhill Crematorium, Wenallt Chapel, Cardiff on Wednesday 7th October 2009 at 11:45am.
The family has respectfully requested no flowers and would instead ask that any donations in lieu be made to Marie Curie Cancer Care c/o James Summers & Sons Funeral Home, Lavernock Court, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan. These will then be added together into one payment to the Marie Curie Hospice which cared so wonderfully for Nisha in her final weeks.
From Nisha's husband Martin
'I have posted some pictures of Nisha and our two wonderful children from happier times on my Friends Reunited page.' http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/MartinHarries
You will be able to post a message to Martin and his family on the link to 'Friends Reunited'. |
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We offer our sympathy to Ann Robertson (Mrs Nichols) 1959 on the death of her husband in the summer of 2009.
We are sorry to hear that Violet Jeavons (Mrs Robertson) 1937 died in April 2009. Her friend, Doreen Evans (Mrs Davies) 1936, tells us that Violet was a bright and artistic member of the school. She was in Cranmer House and on leaving Ashford she pursued a secretarial career working for the Prudential Insurance Company in London until she married her husband, a business man. They had two sons and, sixteen years later, two daughters. They lived in a large house in Somerset and were able to take in about 6 or 7 boarders from Millfield School.
We are sorry to learn of the death in February 2009 of Rosemary Irwin (Mrs Martin) 1948, sister of Doreen (Mrs Wilson-Haffenden) 1947 and aunt of Tanya, 1967. Rosemary was at school both in Countess Wear and in Ashford. We hear from Margaret Vallintine (Mrs Carr) 1948 that Rosemary was a Somerville; she was a quiet and determined member of the community and became a School Prefect. Entering university in the 1940's was not always easy and Rosemary went to a secretarial college and soon after she married David. They went to Sudan where their nearest neighbour was 20 miles away. Later they moved to Australia before returning again to England where they had a mink farm. Their lives were enriched by their son and by their daughter, Belinda, who studied art. Rosemary enjoyed being a choral member of the Handel Society. At school Rosemary was the first girl whom Margaret met and their friendship together with Mimi Beattie lasted for over 60 years.
We are very sorry to hear of Dell Filmer's death after a period of illness. Dell was in Cranmer and made many friends before leaving in 1950 to study Book Illustration and Graphic Design. Dell's enduring work was with 'Moral Re-armament (Initiatives of Change)' working on their magazine layout in Switzerland. In 1965 Dell married Hugh Williams and they travelled widely in Africa before returning to England where Hugh worked at the WestminsterTheatre and Dell became involved in the design of posters, leaflets and programmes, but they still found time to travel extensively. Hugh and Dell's two sons are both artistic, one a wild life artist and the other a photographer.
We extend our very sincere sympathies to Josephine Headley (Mrs Rado) 1961 and Rosemary Roper (Mrs Finnis)1956, both of whom have lost their husbands this summer.
We extend our sympathy to Heather Rule (Mrs Lovesy) 1943. In the spring of 2009 Heather's husband, Ian, died and at the end of the summer her son, John Stroud, a well-known comedy television director died following a 2 year illness.
February 2009
We are sad to have news of the death Old Girls and former members of staff
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Mrs McIntyre who taught Domestic Science from the late 70's to the mid 80's. Rosemary's lessons are remembered as being 'fun and enjoyable' by her pupils. Rosemary retired to a village near Taunton to be nearer to her sister.
Janet Payne who, with husband, Robert, 'were' the Art Department from the late 60's to the late 80's. Janet was immediately pictured in her lovely 'Laura Ashley-type' dresses by one of her pupils and she will be remembered by many for her never failing pleasant demeanour and quiet industriousness. Janet's particular skill was in patchwork quilting and she was commissioned by special customers to make these quilts. Robert and Janet moved from Headcorn to Derbyshire to be nearer their family where Robert is looked after as his health is not very good.
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Jennie Liveing (Mrs Hamnett) 1948 Jennie's school friend, Jane Shephard, tells us that, owing to her health, Jennie left school early to go to Switzerland and eventually trained to be a psychotherapist. At school Jennie was a quiet, very attractive, dark haired Cranmer girl, known for her lovely voice, her talent with a paintbrush and her good sense of humour.
Carmen Bowen (Mrs Kaufler) 1944 Carmen was at school in Countess Wear during the war years and we hear from Jean Newport that Carmen travelled widely and but lived in Ripon as her home area in England. Carmen was a noted singer and as such was a great fan of Linda Rowe.
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2008
We are sorry to learn of the death of Jean Hackett nee Maddieson on 10th November 2008.
The following was sent by her sister:-
Jean was born 3rd Nov 1940 in Hertfordshire where the family was evacuated from its Kent home. The family returned to Kent in 1945 when the family property was derequisitioned. Jean was a lively bubbly and intelligent child always inquisitive and retaining information but she had difficulties at school since she was dyslexic – a condition which was not recognised in those days. In 1947 she joined her sister, Beryl, at Ashford and went to Bridge House and stayed at Ashford in Alfred House until she left in 1959 to go to Chelsea College where she trained as a PE teacher. During her time at Ashford she represented the school in athletics, tennis, netball, hockey and swimming.
Jean taught first in Reading and then in Australia but did not settle there and returned home after a couple of years. She remained in the UK for only a short while as she hankered after warmer weather. She obtained a post in Barbados at St Michael’s school and taught there for many years, eventually retiring in about 1990 and retraining as a teacher of dyslexic children for whom she had a particular understanding. She was a very popular and much valued member of staff at St Michael’s.
During her time in Barbados she played, hockey, tennis, netball and golf for the island and made many friends there and throughout the Caribbean and amongst the visitors who stayed in Barbados during the winter. In 1980 she married Bruce Hackett a Barbadian and subsequently took up Barbadian nationality whilst not giving up her British one,
Jean died on 10th November 2008 after a two year battle with a brain tumour, she was courageous and persistent in her efforts to overcome the disabilities which the operation left her with, her husband survives her as does her step-daughter. She had no children of her own.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Barbara Millen (Mrs Bugg'e) 1933, on February 26th 2008 aged 91 years.
Barbara married Erasmus Bugg'e; he owned Bugg'e's Insecticide Factory on the London Road in Sittingbourne where Barbara worked in the Laboratory. After her husband died in 1978, Barbara sold the factory and went to live in Newcastle upon Tyne near her cousin whose mother, Moira Whiteman (4 years older than Barbara), also went to Ashford School and we understand they spent much time remembering their experiencies there .Barbara's cousin writes:
'Barbara often talked about her happy days at Ashford High School and as her executor I know she would want me to thank the Old Girls Association on her behalf for the school news she received from them over many years '
We are sorry to learn of the death in early March, 2008, of Mrs Fahy, 1970's Matron of Brooke Place, aged 91 years. Mrs Fahy was a strong and lively lady who much enjoyed her retirement Pub. lunches with Miss Earlam. Mrs Fahy spent her later years in Stelling Minnis living with her daughter, Jocelyn and husband, to whom we send our sincere sympathy.
We are sorry to hear that Edna Geer, who left Ashford School in 1922, died in the Autumn of 2008. Edna was over 100 years old and as such she must have been our most senior member. She spent her latter years in a Residential Home in the New Forest area.
The following have lost their husbands: Pat Barrettt (Mrs Beacon) 1946, Rozel Lattimer (Mrs Poole) 1957, and Jane Cheshire (Mrs Kinsley, 1953.
We were sorry to learn of the death of Valerie Lush (Mrs Baxter) 1961 on 9th May 2008 after a heroic battle against cancer lasting over eight years. We send our sympathies to her family.
We were also sorry to learn of the death of Mrs Clare Orchard who passed away on 14th October this year.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Barbara Millen (Mrs Buggé) 1933, on February 26th 2008 aged 91 years. Barbara married Erasmus Buggé; he owned Buggé's Insecticide Factory on the London Road in Sittingbourne where Barbara worked in the Laboratory. After her husband died in 1978, Barbara sold the factory and went to live in Newcastle-upon-Tyne near her cousin whose mother, Moira Whiteman (4 years older than Barbara), also went to Ashford School and we understand they spent much time remembering their experiences there. Barbara's cousin, David Martin, writes:
“Barbara often talked about her happy days at Ashford High School and as her executor I know she would want me to thank the Old Girls Association on her behalf for the School news she received from them over many years”
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