Samantha Armytage has paid tribute to her late mother, Elizabeth “Libby” Armytage, two years after she died of heart failure at the age of 68.
The former Sunrise presenter, 46, took to Instagram on Thursday night to share a sweet photo of a rose.
“Today (and every day) I think of my mom. Two years since she became an angel,” she wrote, adding, “Live calmly in the moment and see the beauty in front of you, the rest will take care of itself.”
Samantha Armytage has paid tribute to her late mother, Elizabeth “Libby” Armytage, two years after she died of heart failure at the age of 68
The former Sunrise presenter, 46, took to Instagram to share a sweet photo of a rose
The broadcaster previously revealed that her mother’s rose garden was her “happy place”.
Immediately following her death in 2020, Samantha said, “She will be missed forever, but she is at peace now… forever an angel.”
“Mom used to say you’re only as happy as your unhappiest child. She knew we were all finally happy, so she left,” Samantha said through tears.
‘She left too soon. But as Gregory says, it is written.’
The broadcaster previously revealed that her mother’s rose garden was her “happy place”.
She later broke down in tears as she delivered a touching eulogy in her mother’s honor – after revealing her sister Georgie had asked her: “What do we do now without a mummy?”
At the beginning of her eulogy, Samantha said of her mother, “As papa often said, that damn woman could talk. Her favorite expression was “to make a long story short,” and then the story went on and on and on.
“Through all of life’s ups and downs I look around at their friendships and think it’s a beautiful reflection on mom that there is a common thread that runs through you all. Authentic, wonderful, friendly and fun people.
Immediately after her death in 2020, Samantha said, “She will be missed forever but she is at peace now… forever an angel.” Samantha is pictured here with her mother during her teenage years
“Maybe it’s ironic that she was tough as fuck and just gave up her little, loving, faithful heart.”
The TV presenter also left her family and friends in fits of laughter during her tribute to her “fabulous” mother as she recalled one such time trying to get her to try Spanx.
“One time, after I finally got her to try Spanx, she called me in the bathroom in a panic,” she recalls.
“By now her lycra underwear had shot up under her dress – like a blind, in her words!”
Growing up on a sheep property in the Snowy Mountains near Adaminaby, Bolaro Station, Sam spoke about the fond memories she had there with her family.
“Mom was her absolute best when we were kids — we played all day,” she said.
She said the children would enjoy tea parties in her garden and tell exciting stories before bed that their mother would make up “on the fly”.
Samantha is pictured with her mother Libby and father Mac (right) and brother Charlie (left).
‘…and I guarantee we were the only kids around who had Laura Ashley curtains in their dollhouse!’ She laughed.
Sam ended her speech by saying, “I fondly remember her best go-go dance to Elvis at the Lounge Room in Bolaro.
“We’re all a little lost. I’m not sure you realized how much of an anchor you were to all of us. Thank you, we love you and we will miss you.’
Samantha’s sister Georgie also gave an emotional speech via video call from London.
“We’re all a little lost. I’m not sure you realized how much of an anchor you were to all of us. Thank you, we love you and will miss you,” Sam said. Pictured: Sam’s parents
At the end of the family’s eulogy, a montage of Libby’s life played out – with Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling In Love With You playing in the background.
Although she did not reveal the exact cause of death, her mother had been hospitalized in August with heart failure caused by an autoimmune disease.
“Last Tuesday afternoon, just after the Melbourne Cup was played, our beautiful mum passed away, just 10 days short of her 69th birthday,” Samantha wrote at the time.
“She had fought bravely for a long time and suffered a lot, but finally her big, loving heart just couldn’t take it anymore.”
“Mothers are the center of a family, and the loss of ours has thrown us all into a spin and left a huge, irreparable hole in each of our hearts,” she continued.
“We are very, very sad. She was wonderful; friendly, loving, loyal, wildly wicked, funny and impressive.’
Sam broke down in tears as she delivered a touching eulogy to her mum – after revealing her sister Georgie had asked her: “What do we do now without a mummy?” Sam is pictured here with her mum Libby and father Mac