How do I tell my 9 year old someone close to her ped away?

Just recently, I advised my daughter to pray for our neighbor because she was in the hospital. She didn't ask any questions , she just agreed she would pray for her. The women is our neighbor who provided day care services for children and my daughter was a part of her home day car . She called her mom mom Judy and pop pop walt. We have known them for 20 plus years and are all very close. Yesterday we found out she went with the lord. Right now my daughter is at her fathers house and if I tell him and ask him not to tell her .... He will he is very malicious and vindictive , so I have to wait, but I still haven't figured out how to say it . It is going to break her little heart into pieces. Can anyone give me some advice???