Heartless thieves rob Melbourne widow of late husband's jewellery

An elderly woman was in hospital battling pneumonia when her home in Melbourne's north-west was burgled, less than four weeks after her husband John died.

Thieves broke in to Christine Dalipis' Sunshine North home on Monday, taking sentimental jewellery from his bedside table, including his wedding ring and a favourite watch.

The 76-year-old told 9NEWS she had been fighting her seventh bout of pneumonia in hospital when her home was ransacked.

The thieves climbed over a fence and tried smashing through a security door with a wrench before removing a window to gain entry.

Her son Lonnie said he arrived at the house in the afternoon to discover a door wide open.

The family then had the heartbreaking task of telling their mother who was still in hospital.

They have asked around at local pawn shops, and contacted 3AW's Neil Mitchell program pleading for the precious items to be returned.