A concerned neighbour found Mary Logie, 82, dead at her home on Tuesday at 8pm after she failed to visit a friend in hospital.
Mary Logie was last seen alive 8am that morning.
She has lived in the seaside town of Leven in Fife, East Scotland, all of her life, and attended Leven Parish Church three times week at services and lunch clubs.
Revd Gilbert Nisbet, the vicar of Leven Parish Church, said: ""The whole community is shocked.
"I have been the minister here for nine years and she came virtually every Sunday and I would chat to her at the door.
"Mary was friendly and outgoing, a kind lady who was bright and interesting to talk to.
"People are absolutely stunned."
Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie has confirmed investigations have been a murder inquiry from the very beginning, with enough evidence in Ms Logie's home to suggest what had happened was "quite horrific".
He said: "Whoever has been responsible for causing Mary's death has preyed on a vulnerable and elderly member of the community and we are pursuing various lines of inquiry as part of this ongoing investigation.
"I would ask that anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the Green Gates area in the days and hours before Mary was found contacts police immediately.
"It's brutal. It's on a defenceless 82-year-old woman in the safety of her own home."
Ms Logies family has said in a statement: "Mary (Rae) Logie, a beloved mother, grandmother and friend will be sadly missed.
"The family are assisting the police in the investigation and wish to be left alone at this difficult time."
