The woman killed by an Edmonton transit bus Wednesday morning was identified as city employee Ailish O'Connor.

O'Connor, 28, was on her way to work at the time. She had worked for the city since 2006, most recently as strategic planning director with the treasury and finance department.

“Ailish was an exceptional person — always a kind word, a ready smile and willingness to help,” said city manager Simon Farbrother in an email to city staff. “She is deeply missed.”

O'Connor was crossing 97th Street in a crosswalk near the courthouse just before 7 a.m. when she was hit by the bus making a left turn.

Aminata N'Doye ties a red rose to a light standard on 97th Street Friday. CBCSomeone placed a bouquet of flowers on a concrete median near where O'Connor was struck.

Aminata N'Doye added her own memorial — a red rose tied to a light standard on the side of the road. N'Doye went to school with O'Connor and was her co-worker when she worked for the city.

"She was definitely a very kind person," she said. "I definitely respected her as a professional because she just really had a knack for getting along well with people and such. So that's something I definitely admired."

The bus driver, a 29-year veteran, was left distraught over the incident, a transit official said Wednesday.