( CNN ) -- Zilda Arns Neumann , a Brazilian doctor and care worker dedicated to helping the people of Haiti , was among those who died in Tuesday 's devastating earthquake . She was 75 . Brazilians were shocked at the loss of Arns , who founded a well-known charity in Haiti called Children 's Pastoral . It specialized in providing education and aid to children , pregnant women , and families . The Nobel Peace Prize nominee was back in the country attending a religion conference and teaching classes to motivate leaders and volunteers of her organization , according to a statement on the Children 's Pastoral Web site . For her work in Haiti , Arns earned comparisons to India 's Mother Teresa , according to local media . Her nephew , Brazilian Sen. Flavio Arns , told the state-run Agencia Brasil news agency that her death came after she finished a speech at a church . As people were leaving , she stayed behind to speak with the pastor and was inside when the structure collapsed , he said . `` 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 . 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 . As of Thursday afternoon , Brazilian authorities had confirmed 15 Brazilians killed in the quake .
Brazilian doctor founded Haitian charity dedicated to helping women and children . Nobel ##e was attending religion school , teaching classes . She was killed when church collapsed after she lost speech .