On July 21, the Otago Daily Times published a story about the theft of Mrs McLeod's gate, which had been at the front entrance of a Douglas St property for decades.
It has never been recovered.
After the story was printed, Community Constable Bruce Dow was contacted by a Dunedin man who offered to make Mrs McLeod a new one.
About a week later, Mrs McLeod was on her way to volunteer at the Forrester Gallery and found a new wrought iron gate at the end of her path.
''I walked down and there's my brand-new gate, all painted ... in all its beauty,'' she said.
''They hung if for me, and I didn't even know.''
She said it was ''such a wonderful, thoughtful'' gesture.
''You hear about so much awful stuff that goes on. It's really inspiring when people do really good things, kind things for old ladies,'' she said.
After the gate was stolen, her neighbour helped put up a temporary gate so her pet dog, Dougall, could not escape.
In an effort co-ordinated by Const Dow, Oamaru Mitre 10 supplied paint for her new gate, free of charge, and Brett Shaw, of Shaw Built, helped to install the gate with a security bracket.
While it was disappointing the original gate was stolen, she was ''very impressed'' with everyone's kindness.
''The kindness of the policeman who was here several times, I made him a chocolate cake and took it down to the station, and everyone was just so thoughtful and kind, it renews your faith in human nature.''
