After battling to survive for just about one week, 59-year-old Veronica Atherley, the newspaper vendor shot in the vicinity of Stabroek Market last Saturday, has succumbed.

She died at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital around 14:50h yesterday, while yet on a life support system.

There was a great outpouring of anguish amongst family members when, at 14:00h her children and siblings, many of whom had been waiting around the hospital for several hours to visit her, walked into the Intensive Care Unit and were told that she had passed away.

Even though, over the last few days, Atherley’s condition showed no signs of improvement, relatives kept hoping and praying for the best. Her son Troy Jackson, who felt optimistic that she would rally, had just brought her a large packet of pampers, when he was greeted with the sad news.

Trying in vain to remain composed, Troy recalled that on Thursday, he promised that he would bring her grandson ‘Rondelle’ to visit her.

“When she heard that, I saw a smile on her face, and I knew that she understood what I was saying to her, and was happy.” But sadly, she had her last breathe before Rondelle was able to get there.

Veronica Atherley who lived at 45 Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, had been a newspaper vendor for years, and sold the Guyana Chronicle and other dailies. A dedicated worker and pleasant personality, she was always there to ensure readers get their newspapers, regardless of the condition of the weather.

Atherley was accidentally shot last Saturday afternoon as she sat on a bench selling newspapers opposite the East/West bus and Demico car parks on Croal Street.

Reports said that the bullet which hit the woman in her hip was discharged by a businessman who was pursuing two men who had allegedly robbed him. The injured woman was rushed to the GPHC and was initially admitted to the Female Surgical Ward after being treated at the Accident and Emergency Unit. After her condition worsened following surgery, she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit.

Atherley, a mother of six (four boys and two girls), was also the eldest of nine siblings for her mother, who died 27 years ago. She was literally ‘mother and father’ to them, they sobbed yesterday, adding that she always worked hard to support the family and give them a decent life. “She working to make an honest dollar when she was shot,” her sister Pauline said, weeping uncontrollably.

A post mortem examination is to be done on Monday.

Meanwhile, the person who discharged the round which hit Atherley was initially taken into custody, but was released on Monday, reports said.