A GRIEVING family has been left distraught after thieves ransacked a grave taking heartfelt tributes left for a grandmother.

Anita Donaughee, 47, sadly lost an 18-month battle with cancer on June 14 and while her devastated family were coming to terms with their loss they were dealt a second cruel blow.

Unable to hold a funeral they felt would fit with her character, they instead remembered her with flowers at Stanwix Cemetery – but when family members went to visit the grave this week they found several large wreaths had been stolen.

Her heartbroken sister Tracey Jessamine, 41, said it made her feel sick to think that somebody could do this.

“It was a bit overwhelming, the amount of flowers we had. They were all special and had meaning behind them,” she said.

“It’s not even been a week. We knew something was wrong with the grave as soon as we walked up, you could see things were missing. The flowers were so personal, we knew right away which ones were missing.

“I can’t believe someone has stood over her and taken them. It’s heartbreaking it makes me feel sick to think about it.”

Mrs Donaughee, of Briar Bank, Carlisle, had previously beaten cancer once before but 18 months ago she received the news that it had returned and had spread.

A loving mum to five and grandmother to four, Mrs Donaughee lived life to the full and wouldn’t let things get her down.

Her sister added: “It’s such a difficult time at the moment. Not only do we have so many restrictions in place, we have not been able to spend time with her like we would have loved to.

“And now her place of rest has been tarnished and all I can think about is whoever it was standing over her grave and disrespecting it.

“There is just no reason for someone to do something like this, I feel so sick. Terry, Anita’s husband, is devastated he has had to call the police about this and will now have to deal with this on top of the loss of his wife.”

Some of the floral tributes stolen from the graveside included a Coco Mademoiselle display from her grandchildren. Also stolen were two sets of angel wings and a wreath in the shape of the gates of heaven.

Neighbours and friends had come out to line the streets as the funeral procession went by, as they could not attend due to coronavirus restrictions.

“She was such an amazing person and so loved by everyone and you could tell at her funeral. People lined the streets to see her off,” added Tracey.

“But now her place of rest has been tarnished by the theft and it has left me feeling sick.

“It’s so disrespectful. She was buried in Stanwix cemetery which is secluded and out of the way but to know people have deliberately done this... I just don’t understand it.”

The family reported the theft on Tuesday night. A police spokesman said: “We received a report at just before 9pm on June 30, of theft of flowers from a grave at Stanwix Cemetery. Officers are investigating.”