Final answer:
The provided excerpts do not explicitly describe a recent transaction done by the old woman before she died. The old woman's final acts or possessions could be symbolic of her life's experiences or society's treatment towards the elderly, but without a specific reference, only thematic analysis can be offered.
Step-by-step explanation:
To describe a recent transaction that the old woman did before she died, we would have to reference particular narrative details that provide context for her actions. However, based on the provided excerpts, there's no explicit mention of a recent transaction. These passages highlight the themes of neglect, the hardship of elders, and the complexities of human relationships surrounding death. The transaction might signify the culmination of the woman's life experiences, reflecting on the transactions of love, care, or the lack thereof, that marked her existence. They can also represent the finality of life and the inheritance of memory or lack of it, which the old woman leaves behind.
In the context of the presented passages, the transaction could symbolize the last connection the old woman had to the world, or it might reflect a society’s or family's failed responsibilities toward their elderly. The discussion around these transactions would typically involve an analysis of the symbolism and character's backstory.