Widow distraught after theft from mausoleum
Company pledges to boost security in wake of looting at cemetery
For two years after her husband Corey’s death, Katherine McNeely continued to sleep with his ring every night.
“I wore that ring for two years, I couldn’t let go,” the 35-year-old said.
Her husband was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in 2012 with a 90 per cent curability rate.
He went through chemotherapy and the family paid out of pocket for a drug that is used to stimulate the growth of white blood cells in one’s body to help it fight against infection.
Things took a turn for the worse, however, and by December 2013, Corey was completely paralyzed as cancer cells were found in his brain and spine. He died in January 2014. January 2016 marked a significant step in McNeely’s life as she finally felt ready to move on, a year later than her husband had wanted her to.
His ring was placed, along with her own wedding ring, her husband’s urn and other sentimental items, including a picture her daughter Isabelle drew of the three of them together with the family dog — the last thing he had in his hands — in a niche at Glen Oaks Memorial Funeral Homes and Cemetery’s mausoleum. It was Corey’s request. McNeely said each time she visits her husband’s niche in the Oakville mausoleum at 3164 Ninth Line, the rings have been a reminder of her commitment to move forward.
“It was hard for me to put them away, but it was comforting to see it there because it reminded me that I could move on, that I was able to put it away,” she said with a shaking voice.
Not so since she discovered the wedding rings, her husband’s childhood locket and her daughter’s drawing have gone missing.
“It was the last picture he had in his hands,” she said.
Her mother-in-law made the discovery Sunday and McNeely confirmed Monday the items were missing.
“I am heartbroken,” she said, questioning how something like this could happen.
The woman, who lives on the Mississauga side of the Oakville border, said it’s supposed to be a safe resting place for her late husband.
McNeely isn’t the only person affected. Christine Hanley said her mother’s wedding ring and her father’s signet ring went missing on Nov. 27, too.
Hanley said she was shocked to learn it wasn’t the first time an item went missing and raised concerns about security to the funeral home.
Halton police confirm five thefts occurred since Nov. 3, but are not releasing details.
Gary Carmichael, vice-president of Arbor Memorial, which owns Glen Oaks Memorial Funeral Homes and Cemetery, says it’s believed the thefts took place over the Nov. 26 weekend, as well as a month ago.
Since the last incident, security measures at the Oakville funeral home’s mausoleum have been increased.
Access codes have been changed, more security cameras have been added and there is round-the-clock security, said Carmichael.
He added Glen Oaks is working with the families involved, police and security partners.
“The cemetery is a public place and it’s appalling somebody would do this in what we consider sacred grounds,” Carmichael said.
“This is a sacred place and our hearts go out to those who are impacted and we’re doing everything we can to ensure this doesn’t happen again and to ensure the people responsible are caught.”
Although McNeely is pleased with the extra security measures, she questions why it took so long for them to be put in place.
She says she only received a phone call from the funeral home Friday.
“I’m appreciative of the phone call, but I still have a number of questions,” she said, noting she wants her husband’s resting place safe and secure.