‘Theft of wedding ring hastened grandma’s death’
FAMILY SAY 90-YEAR-OLD CARE HOME RESIDENT WAS DEVASTATED BY LOSS
THE devastated family of an elderly woman believe her precious wedding ring was stolen from a care home just weeks before she died.
Melvyn Walsh’s grandmother Ellen had been living at Yew Tree Manor Nursing and Residential Home in Northern Moor in the weeks leading up to her death.
Her grandson said that three weeks ago her family noticed that 90-year-old Ellen’s ring had gone.
When questioned by Melvyn’s father, Ellen said ‘two bullies’ had taken the 50-year-old ring from her.
Her family say she was devastated and no longer wanted to eat or drink. They believe the distress cut her life short – a week before 91st birthday.
She passed away on Sunday, November 18.
When reporting the missing ring to care home staff, Melvyn says he was told it was probably due to his grandmother’s dementia. But he says his grandmother was bedbound and couldn’t have possibly left it anywhere other than her bedroom, which has been thoroughly searched.
Melvyn said: “My grandma was very ill for the past few years and had been in and out of hospital.
“She was moved to Yewtree Manor Nursing Home and was taken good care of in terms of being fed and looked after.
“At the end of October my dad noticed that her wedding ring on her finger had gone. When he asked her about it she said that two bullies had taken them from her.”
When he questioned the care home, Melvyn claims he was told to contact police.
Her said: “My grandmother was married for 69 years and my granddad passed away in the late 1990s, so the ring meant everything to her. We wanted to have her buried with it.”
Melvyn’s father, Thomas, said: “We feel as a family that her death came quicker than expected because of the rings being stolen.
“I appeal to whoever has taken them or knows who it was to think: How would you like it if it happened to you or a family member?”
The band is described as intertwined engagement and eternity rings, with three small diamonds.
A spokesperson for Yewtree Manor Care home said: “This is being investigated by the care home. We are just waiting to finish our investigation and we will let the family know the outcome.
“We are not aware if the rings have been stolen or not.”
Police are investigating.