Andrew paid his final respects to his mother at her funeral. He had no idea more heartbreak was waiting for him when he returned to her home

A grief-stricken son has lashed out at thieves who ransacked his mother’s home while he was saying his final goodbyes at her funeral. 

Andrew Bulkeley was horrified after discovering the house had been broken into at Kellyville, in north-west Sydney, on Friday.

Mr Bulkeley had moments earlier been paying his respects to his mother Nola Mavis Bulkeley, 81, after she died from pancreatic cancer on May 27.

The mother-of-three and grandmother to 10 was farewelled at a service at Wesley Uniting Church at Castle Hill and then at a wake at the West Pennant Hills Sports Club. 

Mr Bulkeley told 2GB host Mark Levy on Monday the theft was confronting and devastating for the family. 

Nola Mavis Bulkeley, a mother-of-three and grandmother to 10 died after a battle with pancreatic cancer

Andrew Bulkeley (left) was horrified after discovering his mother’s house had been broken into at Kellyville, in north-west Sydney, during her funeral

‘Some of the children and grandchildren went back to the house and when they arrived, they discovered that someone had accessed the house and taken a range of things,’ he said. 

‘Not only was it very, very sad, but it was confronting. Was someone else still in the house? We just didn’t know. 

‘[We were] a bit blown away and it brought the wake to a pretty quick end.’

Mr Bulkeley explained some items taken from the home including cash and iPads were easily replaceable but his mum’s treasured jewellery held sentimental value. 

‘Mum didn’t have a lot of expensive jewellery but she had a whole little range of items that over the years she talked about with the grandkids,’ Mr Bulkeley said. 

‘She’d talk about when she left Earth… she’d be pleased to see them have it. The electronic devices and a bit of cash, it doesn’t matter so much.’ 

Mr Bulkeley made a desperate plea to the thieves to return his mother’s jewellery to the family. 

‘I would say the jewellery had limited financial value, but it is the sentimental value for the grandchildren,’ Mr Bulkeley said. 

‘Please, you know, just return the jewellery… leave it on the front doorstep or something like that. It’s really broken the family’s heart. 

‘I thank God she was not there to experience this injustice. She would have been so upset.’

Ms Bulkeley was described as a ‘beautiful woman’ and a ‘special grandmother’ who had lived in her home for 42 years. 

Her daughter-in-law Celine also spoke with Mr Levy and said losing Ms Bulkeley was ‘absolutely devastating’. 

Her son spoke with 2GB host Mark Levy and made a desperate plea to the thieves to return his mum’s treasured jewellery for sentimental reasons

Celine had travelled up from Tasmania with her three children to be with her family and were staying at her mother-in-law’s home. 

She explained the robbery ‘violated’ Ms Bulkeley’s privacy and also traumatised her children. 

‘We were absolutely devastated at losing Nola. She was such a special lady to us,’ Celine said.   

‘Her privacy was violated and her special items were taken and we’re all traumatised. My children are traumatised. 

‘These people have done so much damage. They may take away a few items of jewellery which are precious to us, but they hold no monetary value.’

Mr Bulkeley said the family had spoken to police and forensic detectives visited the home and gathered some finger prints. 

NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia that an investigation is ongoing and inquiries continue. 

Anyone with information are being urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.