Mystery over kind act (From Stroud News and Journal)

Mystery over kind act

A WIDOW whose late husband's grave was vandalised has had her faith in human nature restored by a kind-hearted mystery person who repaired it while she was on holiday.

Pensioner Carmel Mueller (corr) was horrified to learn from a friend that the headstone of her late husband Ted, also known as Theodor, had been destroyed days before the funeral of her niece, 73-year-old Mary Baker.

The headstone was down on its face and the steel rods that support it had been bent over.

Two other graves had also been desecrated at the Daisybank Cemetery in Bisley Old Road, Stroud.

At the time, Mrs Mueller, 80, said she was so upset she couldn't even bear to look at the damage.

And Stroud Town Council decided to close the cemetery gates at night. But on Friday, she returned from a weeks' holiday in the Isle of Man to find it had been completely restored.

"It was wonderful," said Mrs Mueller after visiting the cemetery on Sunday. "It looks like nothing has happened to it.

"I had a lovely holiday but what had happened to Ted's grave kept playing on my mind.

"Then I came back to find someone had repaired it. It was such a lovely surprise.

"I don't know how to express my gratitude to the person who did this. It has restored my faith in human nature."

Stroud Town Council is mystified by the resurrection of the grave. Town councillor John Marjoram said he was delighted for Mrs Mueller.

"I think it's a wonderful gesture and I am very pleased," he said. "It's great news."

Do you know who repaired the headstone? Contact SNJ reporter Alli Pyrah on 01453 769423.