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Would this be correct?

But what really is worse was her father's death.

Were "is" and "was" used properly?

I am no grammar expert, but I think it should be: "But what really was worse, was her father's death." That sentence is really awkward though.

The story is told in present-tense, but her father's death had happened in the past. :<

Yeah, technically correct, but it's a mouthful.

I'm sure you can say the same basic thing with different phrasing. 'But her father's death had been far worse.' Etc.

Thanks, guys. :D

JJ has it right. "What really was worse was her father's death." Sans the quotations, obviously