A proud and positive great grandmother, shot during the Bondi Beach terror attack, has died in hospital after complications from her gunshot wounds.
Eva Geller, 90, had a stroke overnight on Friday after spending months in and out of Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital.
She suffered ongoing surgical complications after being shot during the anti-Semitic December 14 attack.
After an infection, she was told she would never walk again, but got back up with sheer determination, Rabbi Aron Moss said.
Ms Geller attended Rabbi Moss's synagogue in Sydney’s east as recently as the past high holiday services.
“She’s a proud mother, grandmother, great grandmother, a beautiful, positive person who, even in these difficult months, maintained her positivity,” Rabbi Moss said on the family’s behalf.
“She was so sweet, everyone in the community really loved her … it’s a very difficult time.”
While it remains unclear whether officials will prosecute an alleged gunman over her death, the rabbi said she never really recovered from the Bondi attack.
“She got through (with) incredible inner strength and faith, and I remember visiting back then in the hospital and she was smiling and trying to be positive,” he said.
Born in Hungary in 1936, Robbi Moss said Ms Geller was too young to really know what was going on during the Holocaust before escaping with her mother.
"It was together they made a future and a family here in Australia,” he said.
“The Jewish community feels very much a part of the Australian broader community, and people like Eva came to this country because of that."
A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed detectives were aware of the death overnight.
"NSW Police are now awaiting further advice and are working with the office of the coroner," a statement read.
NSW Premier Chris Minns offered his condolences to Ms Geller's family.
"After everything (Ms) Geller endured, the news of her death is heartbreaking," he said.
"Almost a year on, we are still living with the pain and aftershock of that evil act. We will never forget Eva or any victim whose life was changed forever."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the devastation of the Bondi attack continued to cause pain for families.
"Eva should have been able to celebrate Chanukah in peace and safety and instead, her life was changed forever by an act of terror and anti-Semitism," he said.
