A "happy, hard-working" woman who ran a popular village shop with her husband for 20 years has died from Covid-19.

Carole Faulkner bought Holly House Stores in Bearsted, near Maidstone, alongside husband Stan in the 1970s. Residents have been sharing fond memories of the "lovely" couple who they bought sweets from after school.

Mrs Faulkner was born in Islington, where she was head girl at her grammar school, something her daughter, Michèle Taylor recalls she was very proud of.

The family later moved to Buckinghamshire, where Mrs Taylor and her sister Jenny were born.

After the break up of her first marriage, Mrs Faulker decided to resettle in Kent, where she met her future husband while working in a Sittingbourne shop.

In the 1970s, the family moved to Bearsted and bought the famous Holly House Stores in The Street, just round the corner from what is now the Oak on the Green pub.

Mrs Taylor, 53, said: "The shop was the life of the community - everyone used to come in. They sold everything - if someone asked for something, dad used to go 'yes, I can get that'.

"My Mum was always happy and laughing - she had a naughty little giggle.

"Both her and my dad were very hard-working. They only had Christmas and Boxing Day off.

"And they were very friendly and helpful - I remember when they first opened the shop they put up a banner saying 'Stan and Carole welcome you' so everyone knew who they were."

She added: "Mum was very good with kids when they used to come in and get their sweets. We used to sell the old-fashioned sweets in jars and pick 'n' mix from under the counter.

"I remember my mum crouched down for ages while the kids picked what they wanted."

Dozens of residents have also been sharing their memories of Mrs Faulker and the shop on Facebook.

Louise Barr said: "I remember so well the treat of being allowed to pick some sweets from the tantalising jars under the counter... looking at them all for ages before I was told by my mother to hurry up.

"Your parents were lovely people. I’m sorry for your loss."

Murray Carcary added: "My mum worked in the shop for years and always had nice things to say about your mum and dad.

"My own experience was being told off by your dad when I came in in roller boots and knocked a shelf down."

The pair ran the shop for 20 years, but the business was brought to a halt when Mrs Faulkner had a brain aneurysm.

Following a nine-hour operation, the family were told she would never talk, walk or eat by herself again.

Mr Faulkner shut the shop in the mid 1990s so he could be a full-time carer for his wife, who was determined to get better.

Remarkably, she recovered more than was predicted, able to talk and eat herself, and could walk short distances with the aid of a frame.

Holly House Stores is now used by the family as storage, still recognisable by the large front window.

Mr Faulkner passed away a few years ago, aged 85, after multiple organ failures and shingles.

His wife then moved into the Hollies Residential Home in Gravesend. She was admitted to A&E at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford last month when she started feeling ill.

The 77-year-old was sent back with a prognosis of an infection but several days later, her condition worsened, and she returned to hospital, where she later passed away with coronavirus.

With a 15-person limit at the funeral due to social distancing rules, Mrs Taylor put a post on Facebook asking anyone who knew her mum to stand outside their homes in Bearsted as the hearse passed on Thursday.

Mrs Taylor, who lives in Vigo, met the hearse at Vinters Park Crematorium so did not get the see the turnout, but was later told many people lined the streets leading up to the former shop.

She said: "I didn't feel it was going to be the right send off so I wanted to make it a bit special as my mum and dad were in the village for such a long time.

"I thought even if a couple of people came out it would be worth it, but I've heard lots of people did.

"I'd like to say a massive thank you to anyone who came out - I'm very humbled, it showed just how popular my mum and dad were."

In memory of both her mother and father, Mrs Taylor is asking for donations to the Heart of Kent Hospice, where her father spent his final days. Mrs Taylor also volunteers in the charity's Borough Green shop. So far, more than £500 has been raised of the £1,050 target. To donate, click here.

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