Mary Jean Gardner, 59, of Orkney, was a member of Wycliffe Bible Translators and was in Jerusalem studying Hebrew at The Home for Bible Translators.
She had previously served as part of a Wycliffe team in Togo that translated the New Testament into the Ife language.
Miss Gardner had been studying Hebrew in Jerusalem with a view to returning to Togo to translate the Old Testament.
Executive Director of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Eddie Arthur, described Miss Gardner as an “extremely popular and competent colleague”.
“She was a lovely lady who was very popular,” he said.
Miss Gardner died when a device went off at a bus stop near the central bus station in Jerusalem on Wednesday. The attack, which injured around 30 people, is believed to have been carried out by Palestinian militants.
In a statement last night, Miss Gardner's parents, Jean, 81, and Tony, 82, of Aberdeenshire, said they were “devastated by the sudden loss of their daughter in this tragic and unexpected way”.
Mr Gardner said: “Mary was a very special person and we thought the world of her. She was devoted to her work and was well liked wherever she went. Her loss in this way has been deeply upsetting for us all.
“We are proud of her and all that she has achieved in her life and feel truly blessed to have had her in our lives.”
The attack has been condemned “in the strongest terms” by Foreign Secretary William Hague, who called it a “shocking and despicable act of terrorism”.
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
-
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
-
The mystery of the Wise Men
-
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
-
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Most Popular
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.