Amy's father pays final tribute

Kelly Osborne leaves Edgwarebury Cemetery, in Edgwarebury, following the funeral of singer Amy Winehouse
12 April 2012

The grief-stricken father of Amy Winehouse has paid tribute to the "greatest daughter" as her family and friends said their last goodbyes to the 27-year-old singer.

In a heartfelt eulogy, Mitch Winehouse told mourners his daughter had "conquered" her drug addiction, was "trying hard to deal with her drinking", and was happier than she had been for a long time.

The Grammy-award winning singer, who had battled drink and drug problems throughout her career, was found dead at her home in Camden, north London, on Saturday.

At the funeral service at Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London, Mr Winehouse said his daughter had recently "just completed three weeks of abstinence" adding that she told him: "Dad I've had enough of drinking, I can't stand the look on your and the family's faces anymore."

He said: "Amy was the greatest daughter, family member and friend you could ever have. I will talk a lot about her fantastic recovery. Recently Amy found love with Reg (Traviss). He helped her with her problems and Amy was looking forward to their future together. She was the happiest she has been for years.

He added: "But knowing she wasn't depressed, knowing she passed away, knowing she passed away happy, it makes us all feel better."

He also revealed plans to set up a foundation in his daughter's name to help people struggling with addiction and his eulogy ended with the words: "Goodnight, my angel, sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much."

Among the guests at the service, which included prayers in English and Hebrew, were stylist Alex Foden, who has been credited with creating Winehouse's trademark beehive hairdo, producer Mark Ronson and singer Kelly Osbourne. Winehouse's band-mates, Zalon and Heshima Thompson, were among the select group included in the private ceremony which, according to Jewish law, had to take place as soon as possible after the star's death.

The family began Shiva - a traditional period of mourning in the Jewish faith - after the service. Winehouse's closest relatives and friends, including her mother Janis, brother Alex and her boyfriend Reg Traviss, then travelled to the crematorium where her grandmother was cremated.

On Tuesday night, family and friends of the star congregated at the Southgate Progressive Synagogue in north London for a private reception.

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