Samantha Armytage shares heartbreaking family news
<p>Samantha Armytage announced over the weekend that her mum, Libby Armytage, has died.</p>
<p>The <em>Sunrise</em> 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.</p>
<p>“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. </p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“We are very, very sad.</p>
<p>“She was wonderful; kind, loving, loyal, wildly wicked, funny & formidable.”</p>
<p>Armytage posted several photos of her brilliant mum as well as a photo of her rose garden which was “her happy place”.</p>
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<p>“She will be missed forever, but she’s at peace now … forever an angel,” Armytage wrote.</p>
<p>A number of Armytage’s colleagues reacted to the heartbreaking post.</p>
<p><em>The Morning Show’s</em> Larry Emdur commented: “Ohhhhhhhh @sam_armytage, we’re so so so sorry to hear that news. </p>
<p>“I know what a constant and brilliant light your mum was in your life. sending you so much love and huge hugs right now.”</p>
<p>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.”</p>
<p><em>Sunrise</em> executive producer Michael Pell commented: “We’re all thinking of you Sammy.”</p>
<p>In August, Armytage revealed in an Instagram post that her mum had been “gravely ill for a while”.</p>
<p>“She has an auto-immune disease which has resulted in heart failure,” the TV host wrote.</p>
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<p>In the same post in August, she announced that her dad had recently had a stroke.</p>
<p>“He’s a tough old buggar & he’s in rehab, frustrated but determined,” she wrote. </p>
<p>“And giving plenty of cheek to his long-suffering, wonderful nurses.”</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>“Now, can 2020 just p*ss off already.”</p>