For her work in Haiti, Arns earned comparisons to India's Mother Teresa, according to local media.

CNN: Brazilian 'Mother Teresa' killed in quake

Brazilians were shocked at the loss of Arns, who founded a well-known charity in Haiti called Children's Pastoral.

CNN: Brazilian 'Mother Teresa' killed in quake

Flavio Arns, told the state-run Agencia Brasil news agency that her death came after she finished a speech at a church.

CNN: Brazilian 'Mother Teresa' killed in quake

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is among dignitaries who will attend Arns' wake Friday in Brazil, according to the Children's Pastoral Web site.

CNN: Brazilian 'Mother Teresa' killed in quake

"The Arns family hopes that this awakening of international solidarity will continue beyond the tragedy imposed by nature, always in defense of full dignity to people, " Flavio Arns said.

CNN: Brazilian 'Mother Teresa' killed in quake