Betty Anne Goee (5 Dec 1935 - 1 Jan 2019)

In loving memory of Betty Anne Goee who sadly passed away on 1st January 2019, aged 83 years.

Betty Anne Goee an adoring wife, caring and compassionate mother and a loving grandmother was born Betty Anne Barlow on 5 December 1935 at home in James Street, Gillingham, to Alfred Thomas Barlow & Nancy Barlow. She was the eldest of three brothers, John, Michael and David.

At the age of 5 she joined the Variety School of Dancing in Gillingham. She became an acrobat as well as dancing (tap and ballet) which was a big part of her life. She danced at The Theatre Royal and The Empire Theatre in Chatham and took part in cabaret shows in All Saints and St Bartholomew Hospital. Her biggest part was at the Royal Albert Hall on Trafalgar Day (1945?) as an acrobat in front of the Duke of Edinburgh, John Pertwee and Harold Warrender.

She attended Napier Road School, Gillingham and worked in the CO-OP and Brookers greengrocers in Gillingham and then worked for Reeds at New Hythe stitching cardboard boxes.

She met Peter at the age of 18 and at 20 they married at St Marks Church in Gillingham on 25 February 1956. They celebrated their Diamond wedding in 2016.

She was a loving mother to three children; Robert, who was born 14 March 1960, but sadly passed away in May 1962; Ian and Nicola. Then the grandchildren came along; Luke, Mitchell and Megan.

Her love of children carried on through the years – she looked after Mark, her nephew, from a baby until a teenager and then as well as working for Fineline she looked after her grandson Luke. Any opportunity to babysit for the grandchildren she was in her element.

Betty loved dancing, watching Strictly every week, baking (especially meat pies for Ian) and at Christmas dozens of mince pies. Christmas was her favourite time of year, the magic and lights. She loved cooking for the family, decorating the home with lights, ornaments and musical items.

She loved going to the theatre, listening to music (especially Queen) and Boxer dogs, she adored her beloved Blaze, Benson & Wiggins.

Gardening was another of her favourite pastimes, growing bizzie lizzies and tomato plants and when this became too much Nicola would tend to the garden for her.

She loved the weekends away with Nicola, visiting many historical places, Buckingham Palace, Thursford, Scotland, Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth House, Althorp House to name a few and Warner breaks on the Isle of Wight and Hayling Island with dad and Nicola.

She loved going to the theatre (especially London) with Nicola, Pamela and Megan, Kinky Boots being her all-time favourite but anything with song and dance and she was in her element tapping her feet and dancing in her seat. When London became too much we used to take her locally to Dartford or Canterbury.

Since 2005, when dad retired and had his last hip replacement which resulted in dad being on crutches, mum has tirelessly and selflessly looked after dad and more so in the latter years when he became housebound. Nothing was too much and this became her whole life.

She will be greatly missed by the whole family, she leaves a void that can never be filled.

Immediate family flowers only please but donations, if desired by cheque for Demelza Hospice Care for Children may be sent c/o John Weir Funeral Directors, Rainham or made on-line via this site