A 78-year-old woman who was mugged 19 months ago died on Saturday, having never recovered from her injuries.

Josie Ray, of Welcome Place, Southampton, the wife of well-known businessman William (Cheese) Ray, died on Saturday afternoon at King Edward VIIMemorial Hospital.

Her stepdaughter, Sharon Davis, said Mrs. Ray died as a result of her injuries.

?She never really recovered from her brain bleed,? she said.

Mrs. Ray was knocked to the ground on February 2, 2003 by 16-year-old Tyrone Brangman as she collected her mail from Southampton Post Office.

Mrs. Ray, a well-known member of the community as a gentle and kind-hearted person who went out of her way to help others, was flown off the Island after the attack but was later brought back to the Island.

She was a mother and stepmother to four children.

Brangman was sentenced to three years probation for the attack after Mr. Ray asked the Supreme Court to show mercy to him.

Mr. Ray told the court that he did not ?feel bitterness or hatred towards the defendant ... He left home at 13. No boy who has a decent home leaves home at 13.?

However, there has been some good news for the family as Mr. Ray, who suffered a brain aneurysm last December, is back on the Island and recuperating.

?He has been home a month now and is getting back into the swing of things,? Mrs. Davis said.