So many people shared touching tributes of what Aretha Franklin meant to them after the Queen of Soul passed following a long-fight battle with pancreatic cancer.
But it’s a tender moment captured on video and shared by Victorie Franklin, one of her grandchildren, that has everybody feeling like the legendary singer was their grandmom too.
Victorie shared a piece of her world by uploading to Twitter a grainy home video of Franklin – a self-taught pianist – as she played the keys and hummed a sweet tune. Looking relaxed and in her element, Franklin played away as Victorie quietly taped her grandmother. But Franklin knew Victorie was there because she ended the impromptu piano playing by throwing a kiss Victorie’s way.
Just melt our hearts!
I have many memories of me coming into her home and she would be playing the piano and singing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling, but God is telling me that she is at peace. Today we lost an icon, a legend, but today I lost my grandma. I love u and imma make u proud ? pic.twitter.com/cSFK5pibEV
— Victorie✨ (@TDirt__) August 16, 2018
READ MORE: What we know so far about Aretha Franklin’s memorial
“I have many memories of me coming into her home and she would be playing the piano and singing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling, but God is telling me that she is at peace. Today we lost an icon, a legend, but today I lost my grandma. I love you and [I’m going to] make you proud,” Victorie, 18, wrote alongside the clip.
The brief clip went viral and Victorie took to her social media platform to thank everyone for the well wishes.
“Thank you to everyone who’s been sending lots of love to me. It means the world to me, and I love all of you,” she wrote.
Last week, the singer’s publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn confirmed Franklin’s passing through a statement.
“It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Aretha Louise Franklin, the Queen of Soul.
—Respect: Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin generated net worth of $80M—
“Franklin, 76 years old, passed away on Thursday morning, Aug. 16 at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit, MI, surrounded by family and loved ones. Franklin’s official cause of death was due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin’s Oncologist, Dr.Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, MI,” the statement explained.
“In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family,” Aretha’s family wrote.
“The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.”
“We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters, and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”