The body of Calgary aid worker Zeenab Kassam is heading home following a deadly attack at a Kabul hotel Thursday.
The 57-year-old was among nine people killed by Taliban gunmen at the Serena Hotel. Her family released a statement Saturday saying Kassam's body had been secured and should arrive back in Calgary this week.
The family also said they have been deeply touched by the outpouring of emotion and support they've received from the public.
They plan on speaking more about Kassam and the attack after her remains are returned.
Kassam had spent the last year and a half volunteering as an English teacher at a school funded by the Aga Khan Foundation.
She had lived in Alberta for the past 45 years.
The Serena Hotel has long been considered one of the safest accommodations in the country. Yet on Thursday night, four teenage gunmen worked their way past security, entered the hotel restaurant and opened fire on diners.
A second Canadian, Roshan Thomas of Vancouver, was also killed in the attack.
Other victims included a foreign journalist, his wife and their two children.
Police killed all four attackers after a three-hour standoff, with gunshots resounding through the cordoned off streets outside.