Razia Naser, the wife of Bangabandhu’s younger brother Sheikh Abu Naser, passed away at the age of 83. She died at the Evercare Hospital in the city’s Bashundhara residential area at 8:50pm on Monday.

She was undergoing treatment for old age complications at the hospital.

In separate messages, the president and the prime minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Razia Naser is survived by her five sons, two daughters and grandchildren.

Among her sons, Sheikh Helal Uddin is a lawmaker from Bagerhat-1 constituency, Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel is an MP from Khulna-2, Sheikh Sohel is a director of Bangladesh Cricket Board and presidium member of Jubo League. Two of her sons – Sheikh Jalal Uddin Rubel and Sheikh Belal Uddin Babu – are vice-presidents of water transportation owners’ group.

Her daughters – Sheikh Tahmina Mina and Sheikh Luna – are housewives. Razia Naser’s grandson Sheikh Sarhan Naser Tonmoy is an MP from Bagerhat-2 constituency.

Her husband was killed on the night of Aug 15, 1975 along with Bangabandhu.

The prime minister said Razia Naser loved her like a mother and stood by her after she had returned home in 1981 and always encouraged her.

In a condolence message, Minister of State for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder described Razia Naser as a “witness of Bangladesh’s history”.

“The nation lost a great woman at the death of the ‘Ratnagarva Ma’ (mother of distinguished children),” he said.