Marilyn Chidley (4 Jun 1950 - 15 Oct 2015)
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MarilynDemelza Hospice Care for Children
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MarilynCancer Research UK
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In loving memory of Marilyn Chidley who sadly passed away on 15th October 2015.
Marilyn Chidley (nee Harrison) was born in Southend on Sea on 4th June 1950. She spent her early childhood in Southend before the family moved to Swanley Village to run the village stores. After school Marilyn attended Pitman's Secretarial College before working in various administrative posts in London. Marilyn was a devoted Beatles fan and a keen fan of music in general. She spoke fondly of going to see the Beatles play live and also going to Chislehurst Caves to listen to the live music and an especially loud guitarist by the name of Jimmi Hendrix! Her love of music spanned decades from the Beatles to Coldplay with a bit of Dire Straits, Cream and Robert Palmer in the middle. She adored Ballet and was a friend of Covent Garden Opera House where, when the opportunity arose, she would go and watch the Royal Ballet in action.
Marilyn met her future husband Douglas James Chidley in 1967 at the Gravesend 18 plus, they married on 13th May 1972. After two years their daughter Lucy was born in July 1974 and their son Alex followed in April 1980. Marilyn left work to look after her children however, if she wasn't busy enough, she became actively involved in the running of the Black Lion Swimming Club in the 1980's. She taught young children how to swim, as well as adults and absolutely loved it! In 1988 after, let's say after a 16 year career break, Marilyn decided it was time to return to work. This required being trained in the use of a computer and word processing which she learned and adapted to with great aplomb. After a variety of interesting temporary jobs she joined Shell Research in Sittingbourne where she worked as an administrative officer before leaving to join New Appointments Group where she remained for the next twenty years, primarily as an administrative assistant but as it was quickly apparent her skills, namely the ability to talk and relate to people, lent themselves to recruiting, she was appointed to the position of Recruitment Consultant.
Marilyn adored her work and she adored her family and she skilfully managed the two seeing both her children successfully through their A-Levels and University and ensuring their were settled in their respective careers whilst supporting her husband in his career in the police force and for a small period of time continuing to run her swimming lessons at the Black Lion.....phew.
Marilyn loved to cook and bake. Some of the fondest memories the family have of Marilyn are the aroma of cooking and baking coming from the kitchen. From freshly baked bread on a Saturday evening. mince pies and the rattle of the pressure cooker as the numerous Christmas puddings were cooked and the planning of great family roasts, namely at Christmas, with military precision. Oh and she so loved Christmas, the house dripped with decorations, numerous Christmas trees and sparkly lights everywhere. She ensured the children had Santa sacks stuffed full of presents which were all opened with great gusto on Christmas Day morning on her and her husband's bed. In fact this tradition was carried on long after her children had grown up and had met their own other halves and then of course with the grandchildren.
Marilyn was tough, performing a civil arrest on a burglar that dared enter her family home, to protecting her husband, the police officer, when he was out remonstrating with drunken youths winding their way noisily home after a night on the tiles. This toughness was seen in the last few years with an often gruelling fight against breast cancer and advanced bowel cancer. It is testament to her strength that she remained, even at the darkest moments positive, continuing her fight right up to the end.
We have selected two charities, Demelza Hospice Care for Children and Cancer Research, which were close to Mum's heart, if you wish to make a donation.
donated £50 in memory of Marilyn
My big sister put up a brave fight kept her dignity, optimism and humour until the end. Marilyn was a great wife mother and friend and will be sorely missed.
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wrote
You put up a great fight Sis and kept your humour and optimism until the end. You were a great wife , mother and friend and will be sorely missed
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donated in memory of Marilyn
Thinking of you and your family
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wrote
My 2nd mum since I was 16. You probably had no idea just how much you meant to me :-( I will miss our chats, our moaning about the Chidley boys! I'll miss your excitement at Christmas and the way your face lit up when the kids opened their gifts. I'm grateful for the chats we had about Eleanor & how best to school her, we made the right decision, she's doing so well :-) I'll miss you more than words can ever say to be honest, but will do my upmost to carry on the family traditions you gave Alex & Lucy and will make sure your enthusiasm and warmth is remembered by Eleanor, Olivia, William, Arthur & Freddie for many Christmases & family events to come. Sleep tight Marilyn (mum) xxx
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is attending the funeral and the reception
donated in memory of Marilyn
Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
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wrote
Dear Doug, Lucy and Alex
I'm so sorry and saddened to learn of your family's loss.
My thoughts and prayers to you all.
Best wishes,
Jeff Williams
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is attending the funeral
donated in memory of Marilyn
Happy memories of weekend adventures in Spain with Doug and Marilyn and sharing friendship and many social occasions over the last fifteen years.
Marilyn will be very much missed by us both but our friendship will continue with Doug. Thinking of Doug and his family at this difficult time. You are in our thoughts - Lesley and Mike
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is attending the funeral
is attending the funeral and the reception
wrote
In memory of a lovely caring lady who it was a privilege to know
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donated in memory of Marilyn
Marilyn , a lovely caring lady who will be greatly missed. My love and prayers are with Doug and the family
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donated in memory of Marilyn
Marilyn? The sweetest, kindest and most cheerful of ladies. It is a privilege to have known her.
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is attending the funeral and the reception
donated in memory of Marilyn
We have counted Marilyn amongst our closest friends for nigh on 50 years and we were devastated when we learned that we would see her no more. It will be difficult to say ‘Doug’ when it has always been ‘ Doug and Marilyn’. We will miss her terribly. What cannot be erased are the treasured memories that we have, too numerous to name. Countless visits to local pubs for a meal and a drink, the many, many evenings spent in either in her lounge or our conservatory, putting the world to rights – arguing about the choreography of the Rose Adagio ( a music degree counts for nothing when up against Marilyn’s knowledge of Ballet – she was always right!). In Marilyn’s eyes, there was nothing to compare with the Royal Ballet. We had planned to go to watch the Paris Ballet perform when she recovered – sadly, that’s not to be. The Mediterranean cruise we shared, trying to find our way around Venice – the list is endless. Not to forget ganging up on Doug over the wretched ‘K’ word. Marilyn was one of a kind and the world is a poorer place with her passing. We will always be here fto support you, Doug, whenever you need us
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is attending the funeral and the reception
donated £30 in memory of Marilyn
Marilyn was my big sister and more than that, she was my best friend. I can't believe she's gone but I do have marvellous memories from our childhood , through sisterly rivalries, teenage growing up pains , the wonder of being an Auntie when Lucy and then Alex were born , the shared zany sense of humour , love of art, fashion, gardening , reading and history , the long phone calls to share our ups and downs. I was amazed at her strength and the positive attitude she had through her illness , the brave face and the laughs right up to the end. No one can replace my big sister. God Bless her and keep her and grant Doug strength and comfort . Trisha. xxx
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donated £20 in memory of Marilyn
Dear Doug and family,
Thinking of you through this difficult time. I had the pleasure of working with Marilyn at NAG and will always admire her tenacity, good sense of humour and her kind nature. She was a wonderful women.
Much love to you all x
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donated £20 in memory of Marilyn
Dear Doug,Lucy,Alex and family,so sorry to hear about the loss of Marilyn.Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.I have lots of good memories of Mariyn she was such a special person and touched so many peoples lives .It was a privilege to have known her.Love to you all Phil Hales and family.
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is attending the funeral
is attending the reception
wrote
Marilyn, we met through our girls and swimming.They were great times full of commitment, dedication and fun! But we continued our friendship long after the girls gave up swimming, to concentrate on their schooling. I will always remember our swims and lunches...chats too. You were indeed a caring, strong, determined lady and a good friend. I will miss you dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Doug, Lucy and Alex and your children who have lost their Nana so early in their lives. Rest in peace now, your fight is over. Beth x
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is attending the funeral and the reception
wrote
Sincere condolences, thinking of you at this time, sorry we can't be with you.
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is attending the funeral
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