INNISFAIL – A recent widow is appealing to the public for the return of cherished memorabilia used for her late husband’s memorial service.
The items unknowingly fell out of a pickup truck after the service and were picked up by a citizen, said Judy Hopkins, the wife of the late Alan Hopkins who passed away March 1 at the age of 77.
The family organized a memorial service on March 8 at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre.
Various items from the family home in Innisfail were chosen to represent the life of Alan and put on a display table for the service. They included photo albums, medals and certificates and paintings created by Alan.
“They represented all the important moments of his life, the high points,” said Judy, adding that while there is little monetary value with the items there is strong sentimental value for her and the family.
She said the items were stored in a blue plastic storage container after the service. Her son Colt then placed them in the back of his pickup to take home. However, it is believed the container fell out of the truck near the intersection close to the Innisfail and District Historical Village.
“My son later got a Facebook message that it (container) was seen being picked up. We know somebody has it,” said Judy, adding the town and Innisfail RCMP have since been contacted.
If any citizen has information about the whereabouts of the missing family items or knows who has them, he or she is asked to contact the Town of Innisfail at 403-227-3376 or the Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342. Citizens can also call Judy directly at 403-227-4048.
The family is offering a reward for the return of the items.
Judy Hopkins,, widow
"They represented all the important moments of his life, the high points."
