A WOMAN killed when a bomb tore through a bus stop in Jerusalem was a Scots missionary and former teacher.
Mary Gardner, 55, was studying at the Hebrew University in the city in her work as a Bible translator.
She was caught up in the blast on Wednesday when a bomb exploded across the street from the Jerusalem Convention Centre.
Mary, from Orkney, was an evangelical Christian who spent much of her life living in the African country of Togo, where she worked for Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Her mother Isobel last night said the family had not had time to take in the tragic news.
At the family home in Old Rayne, Aberdeenshire, she said: "It's such a terrible thing.
"We are working closely with the police and they have been wonderful, so kind.
"We have had so many visitors and phone calls. It is keeping us busy, which is probably a good thing."
Friends of Mary spoke of their shock at her death, describing her as a "gentle soul" who dedicated her life to helping others.
Orkney Islands Council vice-convener James Stockan said: "Mary was a brave, tenacious lady whose incredible achievements in translating and teaching the Bible and putting the local dialect into print for the people of Togo were immense.
"My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time."
The blast at the crowded bus stop injured 30 people. Police said the device went off in a small bag placed next to a food stand.
The bombing, blamed on Palestinian militants, was the first fatal attack in Jerusalem since 2004 and stoked fears of a fresh round of hostilities.
Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad condemned the bombing, calling it "a terrorist attack".
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to respond "vigorously" to the bombing.
Us president Barack Obama also condemned it "as well as the rockets and mortars fired from Gaza in recent days".
Foreign Secretary William Hague told MPs: “I know the House will join me in sending our deepest condolences to her family at this tragic time, as well as our solidarity with the people of Israel in the face of such a shocking and despicable act of terrorism.”
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