Catriona Rowntree reveals major heartbreak as she shares personal tragedy: 'My heart is sore'
The veteran presenter, 54, farewelled her close friend, Ruth Irving, owner of the stunning Al Ru Farm wedding venue in Adelaide, after her death at the age of 71.
In an emotional post shared to Instagram, Catriona wrote: 'My heart is sore, as I pay tribute to my beautiful friend Ruth Irving, who recently passed away.
'I met Ruth on a Getaway story many moons ago, filming the incredible garden Ruth created alongside her husband Alan, from a sheep paddock with a few trees, into one of Australia's most successful wedding venues.'
She went on: 'That will continue, as will her legacy of sharing her encyclopaedic knowledge of plants and entertaining. How blessed to have known this woman who lived such a big, adventurous, beautiful life.
'I miss you so much Ruth, your touch is everywhere around my home and I'm so grateful to have had you as my friend.'
Ruth, a keen gardener, is survived by her beloved husband Alan, her stepchildren, Robyn, Leschele, Yolande, and Cromwell, and many grandchildren.
'Ruth led a colourful life with travel and family,' her obituary reads.
'An antique dealer and exceptional gardener with a flair for design, an inspiration to many creating a space at AL RU Farm for many to enjoy as a wedding venue and open gardens.'
It comes after happier news for Catriona, who earlier this year paid a sweet tribute to her husband James Pettit as the couple marked 17 years of marriage.
She took to Instagram to mark the auspicious occasion with a series of cute throwback photos.
The romantic carousel showed the couple at various stages over their 17 years together.
'#happyanniversary #firstdate #inshock 17 years today #love,' Catriona captioned the romantic images, augmenting the sentiment with a love heart emoji.
Catriona and James have been married since 2008 and share two sons, Andrew, 14, and Charles, 12.
It comes after happier news for Catriona, who earlier this year paid a sweet tribute to her husband James Pettit as the couple marked 17 years of marriage. Both pictured
Speaking to 9Entertainment in 2023, Catriona revealed how she met her 'farmer hubby' James.
'A lot of people ask, how did you even meet him, let alone marry him,' she told the publication.
'My best friend gives me a call and she says, 'Catriona, I've met the one. His friend is having a birthday party for him and I want you to come''
Catriona added that her heart fluttered the first time she saw her beau at the party which was held on a huge Victorian farm.
'I turn up looking amazing,' she said.
'Then out onto the verandah comes this guy and he's got the dirt across the face, he's got the hair going everywhere.
'I've never seen anything like him in my life... and I just nudged my girlfriend and went, 'I approve''.
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