Strabane parish priest Father Declan Boland said yesterday that the family of Attracta Harron were "devastated and lost for words" following the discovery of the retired librarian's body on the outskirts of the Co Tyrone village of Sion Mills on Monday night.
Ms Harron's body was formally identified late on Monday night.
Yesterday, a post mortem examination was continuing to determine how the 65-year-old mother of five was murdered following her disappearance on December 11th last as she walked home from morning mass in Lifford, Co Donegal.
Dozens of people called at the family home yesterday to offer their sympathies and many floral tributes were placed close to the scene where her body was found. It was discovered underground in a field by specially trained police dogs.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the release of Ms Harron's body by the state pathologist, no funeral arrangements have yet been made, although it is believed that Requiem Mass might take place on Easter Sunday afternoon.
Father Boland, the parish priest and a friend of the Harrons, yesterday spent several hours with the family.
"They are completely devastated, they are totally at a loss as to why anyone would do this evil deed to their mother. They are just heartbroken, they have no handle on this. There are simply no words to describe how they feel.
"For four months they were wondering if their mother and wife was coming home, they were wondering had she lost her memory. At least now they can grieve.
"They were hoping up until the body was found that she would come home. Now that her body has been found, they will have a grave to visit, a headstone to put up and somewhere to pray to their wife and mother."
Father Boland said the people of Strabane had rallied around the Harron family in a dignified and prayerful way.
Meanwhile, as the forensic search continued yesterday at the site where Ms Harron's body was found, PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde visited the scene and spoke to relatives and friends of Ms Harron.
"The most important thing from the family's point of view is that Mrs Harron's body has been found. We hope we have achieved some form of closure for them."
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Sheridan said he wanted to praise the Harron family for "their courage and dignity and patience with the police since she went missing".
He thanked all those who had assisted in the search, including volunteers on both sides of the Border, gardaí and rescue agencies in the Republic.