An elderly woman who died after allegedly being assaulted by a gardener has been identified as former Royal Australian Navy captain Marcia Chalmers.

Police allege a 53-year-old had been hired as a gardener by 86-year-old Chalmers and entered her Derwent St home in Glebe, in Sydney’s inner west, about 8.30am on October 31.

A dispute over a payment issue escalated, and he allegedly struck Chalmers in the face before leaving the property.

Chalmers was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious condition, where doctors discovered a bleed on her brain.

She died in hospital almost a week later, about 2.45am on November 6.

The man was arrested on November 2 and initially charged with reckless grievous bodily harm and stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm.

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