Family burgled while attending mother's funeral (From Times Series)

Family burgled while attending mother's funeral

12:58pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Top Stories By Emma Phippen

Jacqueline Henry

A bereaved daughter returned from her mother’s funeral in Cricklewood on Monday to find that the family home had been burgled and her mother’s jewellery stolen.

Jacqueline Henry, 50, attended her 75-year-old mother’s funeral at St Agnes Church, Cricklewood Lane, and when she returned at 9pm she found the house, in Prayle Grove, ransacked.

The thieves broke into the house, which has been the family’s home for 38 years, through the back door and stole cash and jewellery belonging to Ms Henry, and to her late mother, Shirley Henry who died of bowel cancer.

Ms Henry, who now lives in Bedfordshire, said: “It is hard to describe how we felt. I have now been in bed for two days. It has actually made me ill.

“I am devastated about losing my mother and about my 81-year-old father losing his wife. Now we have lost her belongings as well.”

The stolen jewellery had been carefully marked by Shirley Henry to go to her children and grandchildren.

Each item had a handwritten note attached saying who it was to go to and why.

Ms Henry’s brother, Herman Henry, said: “Even on her death bed my mum was thinking of her children and grandchildren, she had labelled all of the jewellery.”

He added: “I was so shocked when I saw what had happened.

“I can’t believe that it was this day that someone chose to do this.

“Break-ins are painful enough anytime but on this day it is just madness. I think they must have seen the hearse outside and realised that everyone would be out.

“We are just glad now that our 81 year old father is coping alright. He came back from burying his wife to find his house burgled.

“It isn’t worth thinking about what that could have done to someone in their 80s.”

Barnet Police are investigating the incident, during which thieves also flooded the kitchen.

Ms Henry added: “Someone out there must know something and I just want my mother’s jewellery back.”