On March 12, having followed the procedures outlined by the Calliaqua Town Hall Office, the Stowe family of Fair Hall installed two headstones at the Golden Vale Cemetery for Clementina Stowe and Wendy Stowe.
On July 28, we received a report that Wendy’s headstone was dislodged from the base and broken into several pieces.
On July 30, we received photographs confirming the extent of the damage. We observed signs consistent with a fire being lit at the head of the grave.
We also noted that a white candle lamp holder planted on the grave in September 2025 had been uprooted.
Reporting to Calliaqua Town Hall
The following day, July 31, I contacted the senior clerk at the Calliaqua Town Hall. I sent him the photographs of the damage by phone.
He responded that his office had received several reports that cattle might have been linked to damaging headstones at the cemetery and that the matter was being investigated.
During our discussion, he introduced me to his supervisor. She was briefed on the matter and shown the photographs. They both provided the name of the alleged cattle owner.
The senior clerk informed me that he was going to conduct a site visit that very day to assess the damage firsthand.
Lack of response/unresolved matter
On Aug. 4, I contacted him for an update. He reported that he sent a message to the alleged owner of the cattle, advising that there was a serious matter for his attention and that he should report to the Calliaqua Town Hall Office.
Today is Aug. 17. All efforts to reach the clerk for further updates have been unsuccessful.
As a grieving family, we properly laid our loved one to rest. We find this act of vandalism extremely disturbing and disrespectful. We are requesting that the relevant authorities investigate this incident thoroughly, determine responsibility and ensure the appropriate action is taken,
Joann Stowe Powers
For and on behalf of the Stowe Family at Fair Hall
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