"I'm really, really grateful and relieved. I've got back all the precious items from my uncle's recent funeral - that's the main thing - and my house and car keys,'' she said.
"The memorabilia from the funeral was very important to my mother whose brother passed away. My mother couldn't travel to the funeral so it's wonderful that she has these final mementos of her brother.''
Ms Berry said the woman and children had found her phone number in her notebook and called her.
"I can't thank them enough.''
The items had been in Ms Berry's bag because she had only been back at work for two days and not had time to remove them.
"Luckily, I had taken all the medical gear into the house, otherwise that might have gone as well.''
Ms Berry said Kapiti police had been handed some other items - but the iPad and a heirloom bracelet were still missing, and she was ``really gutted'' about the money.
"My family pitched in to help me with the travel expenses for the funeral because I had to go at short notice. They made a special effort to help and this is how it turns out.''
Wellington Free Ambulance chief executive Diana Crossan yesterday said she found it hard to believe anyone would stoop so low as to steal important personal possessions.
Anyone with information was asked to contact police.
