'We are tender right now': Catriona Rowntree steps out with mum Heather, two weeks after sister's passing
Catriona Rowntree and her mum Heather have stepped out for the first time since the devastating loss of Catriona's older sister, Lucinda.
Lucinda passed away in April 2026 following her brave battle with cancer.
"I truly wasn't sure if Mum would make it, we are so tender right now," wrote the Getaway host, 54, as she shared photos with fans from a long-planned Mother's Day event.
Catriona and her mum embrace for an early Mother's Day photo. Instagram / @catrionarowntree
Catriona and her mum attended a Blue Illusion Mother's Day lunch this week, held in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria.
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The host captured the touching event with her mum on social media, as the two glammed up and posed in a sweet embrace.
And while it's been a tender two weeks for the star, Catriona wanted to let followers know that the "smiles are back" in her family.
Catriona Rowntree announced the death of her older sister Lucinda, in a social media post in April. Instagram/Catriona Rowntree
"To step out and be among these incredible Mother's and daughters ... was exactly what the doctor ordered," she continued.
"I am teary just seeing my Mum smiling again and looking so darn gorgeous."
READ MORE: Fired from her first job and her farmer husband: Catriona Rowntree's life
In the comments section of her post, Catriona revealed she "wasn't sure we'd be able to enjoy" the event after the loss of her sister. But she was grateful and "genuinely relieved" her mum could make it.
Earlier on in the week, Catriona looked back on memories of her late sister and she and the family prepared for "one of the hardest days of our lives".
Catriona revealed they have had the funeral for her late sister Lucinda. Instagram / @catrionarowntree
The host shared photos from their close past. Instagram / @catrionarowntree
That day was Lucinda's funeral service which "bizarrely" fell on her sister's birthday.
"I could not be more proud of my nieces and Mum (equally my nephew and brother in law) who've had to make decisions this week, no child or mother should ever have to," she shared with followers in a social media post.
READ MORE: Why Catriona Rowntree had 'one shot' at a TV career 30 years ago
"With bear hugs and holding hands we've got through with strength and love.
"We were surrounded by so much love and admiration for my sister," Catriona went on.
"For me, I've realised the only way out, is through and we just have to try and be kind to each other and ourselves. Thank you for your kind words too."
Catriona with her mum and nieces. Instagram / @catrionarowntree
Catriona's older sister, Lucinda, passed away in early April 2026 following a brave battle with cancer.
The host was "heartbroken" by the loss, which came three years after Lucinda's diagnosis.
"I am just so sad to share that tonight, heaven has a new angel, our beautiful Lucinda," Catriona shared with her social media followers at the time.
Lucinda (right) underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments, as well as a medical trial in a bid to battle the disease. Instagram/Catriona Rowntree
Paying tribute to her big sister in the post, accompanied by a carousel of photos, Catriona said: "Lucinda truly 'threw kindness around like confetti', everyone adored her".
The presenter had been keeping fans updated on her sister's battle over the years, after Lucinda was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2023.
The type of cancer the school teacher had remains unknown but Rowntree said at the time it was "apparently incurable".
The Getaway presenter (second right) had been keeping fans updated on her sister's (centre) battle over the years, after Lucinda was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2023. Instagram/Catriona Rowntree
Lucinda underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments, as well as a medical trial in a bid to battle the disease.
"She was on a trial from the US. We had great hopes and unfortunately that hasn't worked," Rowntree previously told nine.com.au.
"It's not 'no', it's just a 'not yet'."
Through her sister's battle, Catriona came across Australian charity Dreams2Live4, which makes dreams come true for adults living with metastatic cancer.
She's been a supporter of the cancer charity in posts on social media.
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