A heartbroken widow has hit out at callous thieves who stole a bench installed in memory of her beloved husband.
Aileen Fyfe told The Courier she ”could not believe it” when she realised the black memorial bench had been taken from Culross Cemetery.
Police have appealed for information in a bid to track the thieves. The bench is worth just £80 but has enormous sentimental value for Mrs Fyfe and her family.
She said those responsible for the theft must have been well aware of its importance as it features a plaque commemorating the lives of her husband Andrew, along with his brother David, who died just a few weeks later.
Mr Fyfe died of a heart attack at the age of 65, leaving his family devastated. As well as providing a place for peaceful contemplation, the bench also acted as a physical reminder of the two brothers.
Mrs Fyfe described the theft as ”bewildering and upsetting.”
She added: ”I could not believe it when I visited the cemetery and the bench was not there. I had been just a week before and it was there as normal.
”When I told my sister what had happened she said I must be wrong and even took me back to check but it had vanished.
”At first we thought the council had maybe taken it away for some reason but when I checked with them they said that was not the case.”
Mrs Fyfe, from Dunfermline, was then left with no option but to face the fact the memorial had been stolen.
”Its value is definitely more sentimental than anything else so it is pretty hard to understand,” the 44-year-old said. ”It is a devastating thing to happen and I just wonder how anybody could do such a thing.”
Mrs Fyfe said the theft had taken a terrible toll, even putting her health at risk.
”My husband died very suddenly of a massive heart attack and what has happened has just brought it all back. It has been horrendous. I have not been able to sleep since the theft.”
The grieving widow had a hard-hitting message for those responsible.
”This was an appalling thing to do,” she said. ”I just think whoever is responsible must be really sad and sick.
”My husband was laid to rest in peace and this bench was just something to help us remember him by. I cannot really understand why anybody would do such a thing. It is heartbreaking.”
Anyone with information about the theft, or who knows where the bench is now, is asked to contact police on on 0845 600 5702 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Photo David Wardle.