Big Bang Theory
Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) and Howard (Simon Helberg) in episode 15 of "The Big Bang Theory." Howard learned that his mom passed away. CBS

Thursday night’s episode of “The Big Bang Theory” was an emotional one for viewers. The CBS comedy addressed the November death of actress Carol Ann Susi, who died at 62 after a battle with cancer. In episode 15, her beloved character, Mrs. Wolowitz, passed away.

The episode played as a sweet tribute to Susi’s character. While Penny (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting) tried to teach Sheldon (Jim Parsons) a lesson about “letting go,” Howard (Simon Helberg) found himself having a hard time “letting go” of the fact that his mother’s furniture was in Stuart’s (Kevin Sussman) new comic book shop. The bickering over the furniture and Stuart’s friendship with his mother was put on the back burner when Howard received a phone call – his mother died. According to his aunt, she went to take a nap and never woke up.

Everyone was shocked and didn’t know what to say. Surprisingly, it was Sheldon who had comforting words for Howard: “When I lost my own father, I didn’t have any friends to help me through it. You do.”

Episode 15 of “The Big Bang Theory” ended with the gang at the apartment toasting Mrs. Wolowitz, who was a “loving mother to us all.” They each remembered Howard's mother and shared stories.

“I still can’t believe she’s gone, you know,” Stuart told everyone. “That woman took me in. If it wasn’t for her I would have been homeless.”

“One of us would have taken you in,” Amy (Mayim Bialik) promised.

“Yeah, I don’t recall any offers,” Stuart responded, keeping the mood light. “But you know what, I’m glad it worked out the way it did because I got to know this wonderful person.”

Raj (Kunal Nayyar) told a funny story about how Mrs. Wolowitz made him feel welcome in her home when he first moved to the U.S. – even though she thought he was the gardener. Penny chimed in that whenever she saw Howard’s mom she’d tell her that she was “too skinny” and try to feed her.

“I didn’t care for her yelling,” Sheldon added. “But now that I’m not going to hear it again, I’m sad.”

Carol Ann Susi died on Nov. 11. The CBS series first paid tribute to the actress after the Nov. 13 episode. “In loving memory of Carol Ann Susis. ‘Mrs. Wolowitz.’ Every time you spoke, we laughed. You’re in our hearts forever,” the post-episode message read.