Officials, mourners honor Queens grandmother killed in rock attack
A funeral was held Saturday for a woman who died from injuries suffered after police said she was hit repeatedly in the head with a rock.
Mourners and elected officials paid their respects in Flushing to GuiYing Ma, a 62-year-old Queens grandmother who died on Feb. 22.
Police said a man repeatedly hit Ma in the head with a rock outside her home just before Thanksgiving.
The assault and death of Ma came during a substantial increase in incidents of anti-Asian violence.
Anti-Asian incidents increased by 343% in 2021, according to the NYPD.
Through Feb. 20 this year, there were seven anti-Asian hate crimes, compared to three in the same time period in 2021, according to police data.
Ma, 35-year-old Christina Lee and 40-year-old Michelle Go have all died since the start of 2022.
Queens Rep. Grace Meng was on hand at the memorial service. Meng, along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, helped secure Ma’s son a visa that would allow him to come to the U.S. from China for the funeral.
“Saying farewell to GuiYing Ma, a Queens wife, mom and daughter,” Meng tweeted. “In her legacy we continue to seek justice and the right for all to live freely and safely.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s deputy chief of staff Linda Sun shared on Twitter a letter from the governor to Ma’s family.
“I want to extend my deepest condolence to you and your family on GuiYing’s passing. I was heartbroken to hear of your tragic loss,” the typed letter read.
“Her friendly, loving and giving spirit leave behind a legacy that will continue to inspire everyone who knew her.”
“A tremendous loss for your family – you have the thoughts and prayers of New Yorkers with you,” Hochul added in a handwritten aside.
The man police say attacked Ma, 33-year-old Elisaul Perez, faces several assault charges. His next court date is April 12.
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