Retired teacher Linda Vatcher, 62, died after gunmen stormed the castle in the town of Karak yesterday. Seven police officers and two civilians were also killed, and at least 34 people, including two foreigners, wounded in one of the bloodiest attacks in Jordan in recent memory.
Several armed men barricaded themselves inside the castle. Security officials later announced four gunmen were killed and that large amounts of weapons had been seized.
Barb Rhymes, a cousin of widow and mother-of-two Ms Vatcher, said she had been visiting her son in Jordan where he worked.
“She was very friendly, outgoing. She was nice to everyone. A friend to all,” Ms Rhymes said from Burgeo, a remote town of 1,400 people on Canada’s east coast.
“It’s devastating. It has hit the town hard. My mind is not there right now. She was a beautiful person.”
