LIVERMORE — Katy Botka–Quirrion is in shock that someone would come into her house and steal her prized possessions and family memorabilia. Among them was a dolphin necklace containing her father’s ashes.
When Botka–Quirrion came home from work Monday, Nov. 24, she initially didn’t know anything was wrong. It was about an hour later when she noticed her jewelry — including her grandmother’s jewelry and a necklace with a cross and ash holder — was missing.
The value of what was taken was more than $15,000, she said.
But worse than that, someone took her box of keepsakes, including military documents and medals belonging to her late grandfather, Henry Botka, as well as clippings and other irreplaceable items her grandfather and grandmother saved about the family’s jewelry store, Foss Jewelry in Livermore Falls, she said.
Botka–Quirrion is the current owner of the store, which has been in the family for nearly 100 years.
“All my family’s coins dad and my grandfather saved are gone,” she said.
Watches and camera cards containing photos were also stolen, she said.
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the burglary, she said. Representatives of the department were not available for comment.
She is offering $1,000 to anyone who brings back her belongings. She has been to area pawn shops to drop off papers about what was stolen in case any items are brought into the shops.
“This is beyond heartbreaking,” Botka–Quirrion said. “My whole body is so sick about it. I’m in shock.”
dperry@sunjournal.com
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