HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) -- A San Leandro couple prepared for their final days by buying a cemetery plot and headstone in advance, but the widow had to turn to 7 On Your Side to fulfill her husband's last wish.
Even though her husband died eight years ago, it took until this year to make sure his resting place was finally the way his family intended.
San Leandro resident Louisa Venson visits her husband's grave in Hayward. It's the first time she's been back there to pay her respects to see the proper headstone. She and her husband, Joseph, prepaid for the grave site and headstone in 1999.
"We wouldn't have to worry about it or be a burden to it," Louisa said.
Joseph died of cancer in 2007 a temporary headstone was placed while a permanent one was supposedly being built.
"They guaranteed that it would be put in shortly after. It only takes three weeks," Louisa said.
Louisa's moved out of state to a second home in Alabama shortly after the funeral.
"I don't believe in coming back to the cemetery because I believe my husband's in Heaven. I just know that it's very difficult for me to come to gravesites," Louisa said.
Other family members who visited the site over the years assumed the temporary plaque was permanent. It wasn't until Louisa finally visited in December when she realized what had happened. Her emotions ranged from anger, to grief and beyond.
"It was almost like guilt that I would not have come back and checked on this," Louisa said.
She contacted Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, but it asked for the original paperwork which Louisa did not have. Two months went by and she remained uncertain about the status of her husband's headstone, bringing back painful memories.
"I have to relive the seven years that he's gone and the five years prior that he suffered so hard," Louisa said.
She contacted 7 On Your Side and we contacted the cemetery. Chapel of the chimes declined an on camera interview, but told us the paperwork for the headstone memorial was never completed in 2007. Then the management company changed hands in 2009.
"We sincerely apologize to Ms. Venson and have rectified the matter."
Louisa is pleased her husband's wishes are finally being honored.
"He wanted to be buried. He wanted to have this. He believed in that and I wanted to follow his wishes," Louisa said.
Chapel of the Chimes says it will provide free flowers for one year to Louisa for her husband's grave. And she's happy the peace of mind she bought in 1999 has finally been fulfilled.