An elderly woman was sitting on a bench in the park.
senior lady-in-waiting
Historical term for a senior female attendant in a court or noble household.
In the Heian-period court, senior ladies-in-waiting played important roles.
I gave up my seat for an elderly woman on the train.
She served the princess as a senior lady-in-waiting.
That elderly woman lives alone.
お婆さん is the common, polite everyday word for an elderly woman, while 老女 is more formal and used in writing.
老女 is a plain, neutral term for an old woman used in narration, while 老婦 carries a slightly more refined, formal tone.
Compound of 老 (old) and 女 (woman). The historical sense derives from its use in court contexts.