A WOMAN who lost her wedding ring nearly two years ago has been reunited with it after sewer workers found the ring in a drain and made it their mission to locate its rightful owner.

Maura Burke thought she had lost her diamond wedding band after it went down a drain in her home in Massachusetts, in the US, in 2010.

Engraved with her initials and those of her husband, Jim, the band also bore the date of their union in November 1991. Despite her daily prayers, the ring never reappeared, and the search was deemed a lost cause.

She did not count on Department of Public Works employees spotting the ring in the town of Braintree's drainage system and making it their mission to find its rightful owner.

They located Maura Burke when the initials and date on the ring's band were cross-checked against the town's marriage records.

In fact, Braintree mayor Joseph Sullivan had attended the Burkes' wedding more than 20 years ago. He went to the Burkes' home unannounced Friday evening to return the prized possession.

Overwhelmed with joy, Maura burst into tears. She plans on thanking the employees who found and returned her ring in person.

The Burkes are happily married with two children.

Read more: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/dpw-employees-reunite-braintree-woman-with-wedding-ring-20120227