Whitney Houston‘s mother Cissy Houston died at age 91 on Monday, 12 years after she wrote an open letter to her daughter when she drowned at age 48.
The heart-wrenching tribute was published in the program of Whitney’s funeral service and shared by TMZ at the time.
The two-time Grammy winner, who was an acclaimed gospel singer, passed away on Monday at her home in New Jersey.
The mother-of-three — who also shared sons Gary and Michael with ex-husbands Freddie Garland John Houston respectively — wrote, ‘Dearest Whitney: The presence of God blessed our home with life, love, joy and peace. You and your brothers were the center of divine love attracting God’s richest blessings.
‘You were a child of God. We had so much love in our home that was truly from on high. You always gave without expecting anything in return and our love was the force that multiplied these blessings higher and higher.’
Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy Houston died at age 91 on Monday, 12 years after she wrote an open letter to her daughter when she drowned at age 48; the mother-daughter duo pictured in September 2010
The two-time Grammy winner, who was an acclaimed gospel singer, passed away on Monday at her home in New Jersey
The grieving parent continued, ‘I never told you that when you were born the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long and I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years.’
Using the I Wanna Dance with Somebody hitmaker’s nickname, she added, ‘God said it’s time Nippy; your work is done. The other day on February 11th He came for you.
‘But not without warning. For two months now I have been depressed, crying, lonesome and sad not knowing why.’
She shared the haunting recollection, ‘On Saturday, before I found out about your transition, my doorbell rang. I went to answer it but there was no one there. It rang again and again, no one was there so I called the concierge to tell him someone was ringing my doorbell. He checked the cameras and told me that no one was there.’
The letter went on to say, ‘You promised me you were coming to spend time with me after the Grammys. I believe the spirits allowed you to come after all. How I love you Nippy and how I miss you, your beautiful smile, your special little things you used to say to me and sometimes you’d call just to say “hi Mommie, I love you so much.”’
Mourning her only daughter, Cissy concluded the message: ‘I loved you so much more. I love you, I’ll miss you, Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter.
‘Rest my baby girl in Peace, you’re now in the arms of Jesus. Love, Mommie.’
Cissy was surrounded by family in her final moments and had been under hospice care as she battled Alzheimer’s, according to the Associated Press.
Although her daughter shot to international stardom, Cissy was a respected singer in her own right; pictured bottom right in 1967 in vocal group The Sweet Inspirations
The Houston family was doubly hit by tragedy with the 2015 passing of Whitney and ex-husband Bobby Brown’s daughter Bobbi Kristina at age 22; pictured with Cissy in 2012
‘Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,’ said her daughter-in-law Pat Houston.
‘Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community.
‘Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts,’ the statement from Pat continued.
The Houston family was doubly hit by tragedy with the 2015 passing of Whitney and ex-husband Bobby Brown’s daughter Bobbi Kristina at age 22.
Following Cissy’s passing, her family said in their statement that she may now ‘rest in peace alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members.’