Widower Brett Morrison is using the insurance money from his wife's stolen jewellery to buy a picnic table in her memory.

Thieves forced a window open in Mr Morrison's home on September 20 and stole his late wife Sarah's jewellery - including her engagement and wedding rings, and the earrings she wore on their wedding day.

Sarah's rings. Photo/supplied
Sarah's rings. Photo/supplied

It was a cruel blow for Mr Morrison after losing Sarah to bowel cancer just over a year ago.

Mr Morrison told the Bay of Plenty Times there was no point in him replacing Sarah's jewellery, so he would use the money to donate a picnic table to the public.

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"Replacing the jewellery, it wouldn't mean much to me. Sarah was a giving person who loved the beach, so I thought I would donate a picnic table.

"I thought it was the better way to go. People can enjoy it for the next 10 years."

The couple loved the beach. They lived right near the beachfront, got married at Hart St in Mount Maunganui, and spent a lot of their time together on the sand and in the water. Sarah was farewelled at the beach.

The table will be installed in about a month's time on Marine Parade near Clyde St, the closest available location to where the Morrisons were married.

Mr Morrison was organising for a plaque to be mounted on the bench and, after consulting with Sarah's parents, had decided on an inscription.

It would read: "In loving memory of Sarah Morrison, a gentle heart and a beautiful soul."

Mr Morrison said he would organise a barbecue for a "table-warming party" after it was installed.

"She was a selfless person," Mr Morrison said. "For $3000, there's really nothing else I can do that will have the same sort of impact as this.

"Even people that didn't know her can enjoy the spot and create memories there."