Daughter close to tears initially after sentimental stuff in farewell (9)
I believe the answer is:
goodnight
'farewell' is the definition.
'daughter close to tears initially after sentimental stuff' is the wordplay.
'daughter' becomes 'd'.
'close to' becomes 'nigh'.
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'sentimental stuff' becomes 'goo' (goo can mean sentimental or soppy material).
The first letter of 'tears' is 't'.
'd'+'nigh'+'t'='dnight'
'dnight' after 'goo' is 'GOODNIGHT'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for goodnight that I've seen before include "dark valediction, perhaps" , "Statement on retirement" , "Final greeting" , "retirement wish" .)