Grieving widow pointed to husband’s gravestone when asked where she lived — an officer turned her life around
The woman was ready embrace death in the biting cold but an 'angel' came to her aid
Grief can overpower our existence so badly that we don’t even have the energy or willpower to wake up and make ourselves a cup of tea. Battling with this kind of grief after losing her husband, Rhea Holmes had even more shattering realities to deal with, reported TODAY. She was making her way to the Oakwood Cemetery when Syracuse Police Department’s Jamie Pastorello encountered her. After striking up a conversation with her, the officer went on his way, but it was not long before he learned something shocking. The woman sought solace near her husband’s grave as she had no shelter to take refuge in. He knew he had to intervene.
The officer initially saw the 55-year-old climbing uphill with a cardboard box and offered her a ride. Out of humanity, Pastorello took a picture of himself with the woman and posted it to share how a kind conversation can refresh the soul. Social media did its thing, and the picture reached a maintenance worker, who revealed she had likely been sleeping by the grave. She spent eight months at the graveyard, reported Syracuse.com. “I didn’t want people to worry. I just stayed there,” she said. The officer was disheartened and ventured to learn more about Holmes.
The woman had a good job, but after her husband’s passing, her world was shattered. She stopped going to work and eventually lost everything. Shelter homes were not an option because they didn’t feel safe, and Holmes didn’t want to get into any trouble or anything untoward. In her distressed state, she sought comfort by the side of her late husband’s gravestone but never left her faith and goodwill. She continued to volunteer at local places. “I just kept giving to others. It was the only way I could keep going,” she remarked. Pastorello learned of her story, and he knew it was payback time for her. “Rhea, you’re not going to sleep outside again. I’m not going to let that happen,” he assured her.
The officer first secured temporary housing and then set up a GoFundMe to help her out. He mentioned how the woman, despite her situation, had “an incredible amount of empathy, compassion, and love” and deserved “safety, stability, and a place she can truly call home.” With around $27,000 raised initially, more good came to the surface. A Tiny Home For Good, a local organization that helps eradicate homelessness, one tiny, furnished, and affordable home at a time, reached out to help. He also contacted a friend, Joe LeMura, who, coincidentally, was the brother of Le Moyne College President Linda LeMura. After hearing Holmes’ story, they stepped in without being asked.
In a post shared on January 12, 2026, the caption revealed that Holmes was finally ready to embrace her new home with the help of Pastorello and the LeMuras. “The stars aligned, and last week we got to welcome Rhea home. Sometimes, it really does take a village,” the caption revealed. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, shocking stats reveal that homelessness is at an all-time high in the United States. There was a jump of 18% in 2024, with a total of 771,480 people having no place to call home and seeking refuge. Out of this, 497,256 were sheltered while 274,224 were unsheltered. However, both groups have seen a steady rise over the last few years.
One of the top reasons noted was rising rent. States like New York, Hawaii, and Columbia experienced the highest amount of homelessness due to increasing rent compared to other states. The lowest was Mississippi, with 4 out of every 10,000 people being homeless. Amends are being made, but kindness can help accelerate the efforts. Calling him an “angel,” Holmes is taking a breath of relief, knowing she has a roof over her head, according to CBS News. Having Pastorello cross paths with her was God’s work. “He knew I needed help, and He guided me to him,” she remarked. The GoFundMe has raised over $77,000, which will continue to aid Holmes for future expenses. For Holmes, it’s a “new beginning.” “It’s amazing. I don’t even have the words to describe it,” she exclaimed.
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