Barbara Mary Mackay Miller (7 Jul 1945 - 1 Jan 2021)

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Barbara MarySt. Margaret's Church, Rainham

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St Margaret's Church High Street Rainham, Kent ME8 8AN
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In loving memory of Barbara Mary Mackay Miller who sadly passed away on 1st January 2021, aged 75 years

Barbara was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma during the first lockdown initially she responded well to treatment unfortunately once the first round of Chemotherapy had finished it came back very aggressively.

The family have requested no flowers please but donations in memory of Barbara for St. Margaret's Church, Rainham may be made online via this site

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Barbara, editor of Action Forum for 50 years and co-founder of The Net Magazine in 2004 with her husband Hamish. Barbara’s role in The Net was to compile the contact details for the hundreds of voluntary groups in the area and publicise their events. Thanks to her efforts many a summer fete and school pantomime attracted the audiences they deserved.

Barbara’s life in voluntary public services began when she joined the Brownies and continued throughout her life as a Guide leader. Many generations of Girl Guides have fond memories of weekly meetings and annual camps led by her.

In October 1971 Barbara and Hamish, having not seen each other since leaving Rainham for college, spent the whole evening at the Church Bazaar talking behind her mother’s second-hand book stall. By the end of the evening Barbara had joined the editorial committee of Action Forum and also the organising group for the First Rainham Spectacular in May 1972, raising money to convert Station Oasts into the Community Centre. With their partnership working well the next step was their wedding on 16th December 1972 in St Margaret’s Church, Rainham. Barbara continued to teach full time, organise two more Rainham Spectaculars and edit Action Forum until the arrival of Katy in April 1975, Rachel in March 1976 and Andrew in September, 1979. After this she never went back to teaching but as the children grew up gradually took a larger role in the running of the family bookshop. At first this was looking after the library supply side of the business working from home which she combined with bringing up three children.

Her most significant contribution to life in Rainham was her editorship of Action Forum until March 2020 which she did almost single handed, including organising the distribution which grew from 10,000 to 20,000 as more houses were built. It is difficult to assess the impact that this one publication has had on the community in the area. I believe no other free distribution paper exists with a similar circulation, run entirely by unpaid volunteers that has lasted for more than 50 years.

With encouragement from her mother and readers of Action Forum Barbara began to collate and caption many old photographs of Rainham. These she published in three separate Picture Books of Old Rainham.

As grandchildren came along Barbara began to spend a day a week with Katy and her two sons in Woking and then a week once a month with Rachel in Cheshire with her two children. As Rachel gradually took over her mother’s role compiling the voluntary group entries for The Net this monthly week with daughter and granddaughter became a highlight of her monthly routine.

Susan Gill donated in memory of Barbara

Fond memories of Barbara and I enjoying many happy days out and camping holidays with our combined 5 children. A wonderfully kind person.

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eric cheeseman donated £30 in memory of Barbara

Thinking of you all at this sad time. Remembering the good times with Barbara and Marion at 3 Orchard Street and the opportunity to meet up at the family picnic at Westerham. Eric and Brenda

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Kate Williams donated in memory of Barbara

With very fond memories of working at the bookshop.

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Kate Williams wrote

With extremely fond memories of working at the bookshop.

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Ian and Sue Fleckney donated in memory of Barbara

Very happy memories of Barbara from the bookshop and St. Margaret's Church.

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Kate Kett donated in memory of Barbara
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Rainham South District Guides donated £30 in memory of Barbara

Such a lovely lady, will be sadly missed.
From all your friends at Rainham South District Guides

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Daphne Stearn donated in memory of Barbara

A true friend, sadly missed. Rest in peace. X

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Jane Lee donated in memory of Barbara
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Marion Cook donated £1,000 in memory of Barbara

In loving memory of a dear sister and aunt

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John & Marion Cook wrote

In loving memory of a dear sister and aunt

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John & Marion Cook wrote

In loving memory of a dear sister and aunt

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John & Marion Cook wrote

In memory of a dear sister and aunt

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John & Marion Cook wrote

In memory of a dear sister and aunt

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John & Marion Cook wrote

In memory of a dear sister and aunt.

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John & Marion Cook wrote

In memory of a dear sister and auntie.

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Jean Dennis wrote

God Bless You Barbara Find Everlasting Peace

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Alison Lewin donated in memory of Barbara

With fond memories of working at the bookshop xx

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Trish Kett lit a candle
Patricia Kett donated £50 in memory of Barbara

So very sorry to all the family and sad for all who knew barbara

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Gina Snelling donated in memory of Barbara

52 years of friendship

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Mary Branchett donated in memory of Barbara

Thank you for letting me join the Rainham Bookshop family all those years ago. You have been both a boss and a friend and you will be very sadly missed. X

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Christine and David Branchett donated in memory of Barbara
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Lisa Glenister wrote

Thinking of you all. Xxxxxxx

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Andrew Mackay Miller posted a picture

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  • What a gorgeous photo x

    Posted by Alison on 8/02/2021 Report abuse
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Faith Mitchell donated £10 in memory of Barbara
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Karen Brown wrote

A wonderful mother , wife and businesswoman ,and a dedicated supporter of St Margaret’s Church, Rainham and the whole community of Rainham. She will be much missed for the tireless work she did producing and editing the monthly Action Forum for so many years.

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Sarah Hare donated in memory of Barbara
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Kim Madrick donated £5 in memory of Barbara
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Andrew Mackay Miller donated in memory of Barbara

Miss you Mum

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