Hadera attack claims 6th victim
Genya Polays, who died Saturday, is sixth casualty of Hadera suicide bombing. 'She was a wonderful woman and grandmother,' relative says
The suicide attack in Hadera about 10 days ago claimed on Saturday its sixth victim. Genya Polays, 66, of Hadera, who was critically wounded in the attack, died of her wounds at the Hillel Yaffe hospital in town.
Tragically, Genya's nine-months-old granddaughter Maria on Saturday pronounced for the first time the word "grandma," only a few minutes before the family received notice of Genya's death.
Genya, her husband Vitaly and their son Leonid immigrated to Israel from Moscow in 1993. Since their arrival in the country, the family has lived in Hadera.
Genya and Vitaly, both qualified engineers, were unable to find employment in Israel, and assisted in caring for their three grandchildren, Lisa, 15; Avi, 12, and little Maria.
On the day of the deadly attack, the couple visited the HMO clinic in the center of town, and afterwards went to the market in order to buy fruit and vegetables.
They used to go to the market only when they visited the town's center, their daughter-in-law Natalia recounted with tears.
"They were together when the bombing took place, and fell on the ground. Vitaly even had a chance to tell Genya to pick up the things that fell out of the shopping bags, after they both recovered a bit," she said.
The couple was rushed to the hospital. Genya was in critical condition when hospitalized, and was immediately sent to the intensive care wing. Vitaly, who was admitted in serious condition, is still hospitalized in moderate condition at the hospital's orthopedic unit.
Husband could not stop crying
We stayed at their side constantly, Natalia said. "Genya's condition was severe and she remained unconscious. Two days ago the doctors told us that her condition was improving, but shortly after her blood pressure went up again," she said.
"The doctors did everything they could to save her, but to no avail," Natalia concluded.
According to Natalia, the husband Vitaly only learned about his wife's death Sunday, and could not stop crying when he got the news.
"They used to spend all their time together and loved to travel and go abroad," Natalia said, and added that "Genya was a wonderful, kind and helpful woman."
Genya's grandchildren said that "she was a good grandmother and we loved her very much."
Genya's funeral was held on Sunday in Hadera. Her husband, Vitaly, was brought to the cemetery in a wheelchair, to bid his wife goodbye.
