She left behind her husband, five sons and a host of relatives and admirers to mourn her death.

According to her last wish, Suratunnesa was buried at the grave of her valiant son Matiur at the Narinda graveyard after namaz-e-janza at Sabujbagh Jame Mosque after Asr prayers.

Awami League leaders Tofail Ahmed and Saber Hossain Chowdhury attended the janaza.

Matiur was killed in police firing during the anti-Ayub mass upsurge on January 24 in 1969. The martyrdom of Matiur, then a student of Nabakumar Institution, intensified the movement ending the dictatorial rule of Pakistan President General Ayub Khan.

Tofail, a hero of 1969 mass upsurge, said the day Matiur was killed, his mother told him (Tofail) to carry on the movement so her son's blood does not go in vain.

"We have kept our promise by gaining independence in 1971," Tofail said. On a personal note, he said Matiur's mother loved him like a son.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and General Secretary Abdul Jalil in separate messages yesterday expressed deep shock at the death of Suratunnesa.

They prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to members of the bereaved family.