A couple who had been married for 62 years died within eight days of each other.

Brian and Anne Turner, who lived at Seagull Cottage in Lane End, Herne Bay, were both 86.

Brian, who was born at St Edward’s Maternity Home, Beacon Hill, was educated at Herne Bay College in Canterbury Road.

He became a baker and confectioner at the Yorkshire Bakery, owned by his parents, Cyril and Catherine Turner, in the town’s High Street, and retired when the business closed in 1995.

Anne, who had attended a teacher training college at Seaford, Sussex, taught at Herne Bay Junior School, King’s Road, for 37 years, before retiring in 2005.

After leaving school in 1953 Brian joined the Merchant Navy, serving with the P&O shipping line for the following two years.

It was while he was called up for National Service in the Army Catering Corps and stationed at Portsmouth that he was to meet Anne. They were married at St James’ Church, Emsworth, Hampshire, in January 1960.

During the Second World War Brian regularly stayed at Studd Farm - his grandparents’ home on the Herne Bay-Whitstable road - while his mother and her two sisters, Vi Jolin and Maud Timms, took charge of the bakery. His father served in the Merchant Navy with P&O during both world wars.

Recreation for Brian, who owned various sailing craft, revolved around the sea and boating locally for more than 70 years. At the age of 12 in 1947 he crewed aboard furniture store owner Charlie Cornfoot’s yacht.

When Mr Cornfoot later bought a Shearwater Catamaran, Brian bought one as well to hold races in the estuary.

'Despite her own health problems, Ann did a wonderful job caring for Brian at home while he suffered from dementia...'

Apart from sailing, which he continued until several years before his death, his interests included lobstering, fishing and taking out parties of anglers in his motor boat, Siona.

He also crewed aboard his brother Mike’s 40ft ketch Wildlife, which was engaged in seal-watching trips.

Anne, too, was keen on sailing, taking part in the annual yacht race around the Isle of Wight in her younger days. Also, she was a very keen gardener.

Their son David, a fisherman operating various craft locally and at Thanet and Folkestone, died suddenly at the age of 45 in 2007.

Mike recalls in diaries he kept during the 1950s of Brian’s Merchant Navy days when sometimes he was back home after several weeks and other times when he was away for months sailing as far as Australia.

“Anne was much loved," he says.

"My wife, also a local teacher, often met other teachers and parents who spoke highly of her and how the children blossomed in her care.

"Despite her own health problems, she did a wonderful job caring for Brian at home while he suffered from dementia.”

Brian’s sister Jenny says he was excellent at making cakes, especially for Christmas and weddings, and many other varieties, working consistently for many years.

“Anne was always a great help to my mother and me, and in later years she sent meals when I was unable to get about," she add.

"She will be greatly missed.”

They both died last month, Brian on December 17, and Anne on Christmas Day.

The couple are survived by a daughter, Susan, a granddaughter, Emma, and a great-grandson, Ethan.

Their funeral takes place at Barham on Wednesday, February 2, at 10.40am