A Dutchess County man is asking for the public's help in finding a shawl that had a special religious significance to his wife in her final days. Edward Trojan invited News 12 to his home in Spackenkill to help spread the word in an effort to help find the shawl before his wife is laid to rest Monday afternoon at a memorial service.

As Maureen Trojan was fighting an illness at Westchester Medical Center for about a month, requiring several operations, a friend of the family had a shawl knitted and had it blessed by a Franciscan friar from Mount Alvernia in Wappingers Falls. "When I told her the story," Edward said, choking up, "it gave her comfort."

Maureen was a Catholic cat lover with a sense of humor. It was her idea for the movie "The Godfather" to be the theme of the couple's wedding in 1974. She was also a believer who found solace with the shawl until she died Sunday at age 75. Edward said the shawl was lost late last week when Maureen was transferred from WMC to Hospice. The staff helped Edward search the hospital room. He even reported it to Westchester County police. Edward is asking everyone who sees or reads his story to keep an eye out for the distinct, red, white and blue shawl. He does not care how it is returned. "They can drop it off on a corner some place and have somebody pick it up and give it to me," he said, adding that it would make Maureen rest easier.

"Her wishes were to come back home until the time we get together again," he said with a tear. "Then the shawl and all the cats, we'll all get together." A WMC spokesperson said late Wednesday that after an exhaustive search, staff members were unable to recover the prayer shawl. "Everyone at WMC extends our heartfelt condolences to Edward and his family," she said, "and we hope that they are able to find comfort and peace during this difficult time." Anyone who might be able to help locate the shawl is asked to contact Westchester County Police or News 12.