Samantha Armytage announced over the weekend that her mum, Libby Armytage, has died.
The Sunrise host shared the devastating news to Instagram on Saturday afternoon, writing: “Last Tuesday afternoon, a little while after the Melbourne Cup was run, our beautiful mumma passed away, just 10 days before her 69th birthday.
“She had fought bravely for a long time and suffered a lot, but finally her big-loving heart just couldn’t do it anymore,” Armytage wrote.
“Mums are the centre of a family and losing ours has thrown us all in a spin & left a huge, irreparable hole in each of our hearts.
“We are very, very sad.
“She was wonderful; kind, loving, loyal, wildly wicked, funny & formidable.”
Armytage posted several photos of her brilliant mum as well as a photo of her rose garden which was “her happy place”.
“She will be missed forever, but she’s at peace now … forever an angel,” Armytage wrote.
A number of Armytage’s colleagues reacted to the heartbreaking post.
The Morning Show’s Larry Emdur commented: “Ohhhhhhhh @sam_armytage, we’re so so so sorry to hear that news.
“I know what a constant and brilliant light your mum was in your life. sending you so much love and huge hugs right now.”
Sports presenter Mark Beretta shared his own condolences, writing: “You, Mac and your beautiful family are in our thoughts and prayers Sam. We’re all here for you. Libby was a wonderful lady, with a golden heart. Sending a giant hug.”
Sunrise executive producer Michael Pell commented: “We’re all thinking of you Sammy.”
In August, Armytage revealed in an Instagram post that her mum had been “gravely ill for a while”.
“She has an auto-immune disease which has resulted in heart failure,” the TV host wrote.
In the same post in August, she announced that her dad had recently had a stroke.
“He’s a tough old buggar & he’s in rehab, frustrated but determined,” she wrote.
“And giving plenty of cheek to his long-suffering, wonderful nurses.”
She ended the heartbreaking post by writing: “To anyone out there with loved ones in the hospital right now or anyone out there near your parents right now, give them a hug for me.
“Now, can 2020 just p*ss off already.”
