Whitney Houston was 'simply a gift from God', says sister-in-law Pat Houston

Whitney Houston with daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown(Photo: Reuters)

Almost three years before they commemorate the death anniversary of music legend Whitney Houston, the Houston family has released an album of the diva's greatest hits, from the beginning of her career until her untimely death on February 11, 2012.

The album, entitled Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances, chronicles the star's musical journey from the time she first appeared on the Merv Griffin Show in 1983 to her last ever performance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009 before she was found dead in her bathtub due to heart disease and the use of cocaine.

Pat Houston, her sister in law and former manager shared in an interview with Life and Style that Whitney had a lot of ideas and a lot of plans before her tragic death.

According to Pat, her sister-in-law was planning to do a Whitney Unplugged Tour, as well as record a few more singles and produce some remakes.

The death of the diva, who held the Guinness Book of World Records title for most awarded female act of all time in 2009, cut short those plans.

"[We spoke] about the importance of sisterhood. We loved each other very much. Whitney was a very giving person and I don't mean materially. She was a master at helping others help themselves even when she didn't always realize it herself," Pat describes their relationship.

"I was honoured to have known her. If only the world could have known her beyond her music – they would know that she was just simply a gift from God. I personally learned that her life really mattered beyond music. She was a great friend. And I will forever miss her."

As the family continues to come to terms with the death of Whitney, family members were shaken again in the last week by news of Bobbi Kristina Brown's hospitalisation.

Bobbi Kristina is the only daughter of the diva with her ex-husband, rapper Bobby Brown.

Reports from E! Online indicate that Bobbi Kristina was found facedown and unconscious in a filled bathtub by her husband Nick Gordon.

In his statement, Bobby Brown asked the public to pray for his daughter, but refused to elaborate on Bobbi Kristina's condition.

"Privacy is requested in this matter. Please allow for my family to deal with this matter and give my daughter the love and support she needs at this time."

According to sources interviewed by People, Brown is distraught because of the similarity between how Whitney and Bobbi were found.

The source stated: "Losing Whitney was hard, but this is a million times worse. And to lose her in the same way would devastate him."

The Daily Mail reports that the life support machine keeping Bobbi Kristina alive has been switched off.