HEARTBREAKING tributes are being paid to First Dates star and former Miss Bikini Ireland Judy Fitzgerald after she died "unexpectedly".
The 32-year-old, who was also a nurse and midwife, passed away on Saturday.
Judy had earned a degree in Nursing from University College Cork, a post graduate degree in Midwifery at University of Limerick, and was a qualified fitness instructor.
She also continued working as a midwife during the Covid pandemic while pursuing a career in the fitness modelling world.
Judy was crowned Miss Bikini Ireland in 2014, beating contestants from across the world.
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She later proudly carried the Irish flag at international beauty and fitness pageants and competitions.
In 2015 she took to the catwalk at New York Fashion Week, dressed in a red jeweled outfit, whilst rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s top supermodels.
The same year she was chosen to interview the event’s designers about their collections.
Speaking afterwards she said the event had been “a dream come true”.
Judy, of Mulcair Road, Raheen Heights and Finnitstown, Adare, Co Limerick “passed away unexpectedly on 27th May 2023” read an obituary posted online.
Her remains are to repose this Wednesday, 31 May, at Cross’s Funeral Home, Lr Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick City, from 5.30pm-7.30pm, followed by requiem mass at St Nessan’s Church, Raheen, at 12pm, Thursday, with burial afterwards in Castlemungret Cemetery.
CARING NATURE
Judy, who had graced the front cover of glossy magazines and was regularly featured in national newspapers, had never forgotten her caring nature and she was both a mental health ambassador and advocate of positive mental attitude through exercise.
More recently, she had virtually competed at the World Beauty Fitness and Fashion Pro-International Next Level World Tour during the Covid lockdown and was crowned overall European Fitness Model Champion 2019.
An ambitious businesswoman, she had also set up a website and fitness app Judy FitZ Fitness, Get Fit with Fitz, providing personalised workout and diet plans.
On her website she wrote had also worked as a cosmetic or aesthetic nurse after she “represented Ireland on the world stage”.
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She said that she aimed to use her fitness skills “to empower” her clients to reach their “goals”, “change their lives for the better”, and “become the best version of themselves”.
She said: “For me, there is no better feeling than inspiring people to feel about good themselves both inside and out."
Judy had shared her life with thousands of followers across her social media platforms including Instagram TikTok and Facebook.
'NO WORDS'
Friends said there were “no words” to express their shock at her death.
Red carpet dress designer at the Cannes Film Festival, Venera Tabakin, posted photos online of the pair together and wrote: “RIP Judy Fitzgerald, my little model and friend, Miss Bikini Ireland and Celebrity of Ireland.”
Former Fair City actress Jenny Dixon, and her husband, actor and former Fine Gael TD, Tom Neville, posted their condolences online.
The couple wrote: “So so sad to learn of Judy’s passing.
"She will be missed by all very much. Our sincerest sympathy to the Fitzgerald family and friends. May she (Judy) Rest in Peace.
“Rest in peace Judy,” wrote a friend, while another added: “A beautiful soul, may she Rest In Peace”.
Fellow pageant contestant Mary Mullally also paid tribute saying Judy was a “kind, beautiful person, a girl that would light up a room with her smile”.
'TRULY MISSED'
She said: “Judy Fitzgerald our Miss Bikini Ireland 2014, has sadly gained her wings.
"She will be truly missed in the modeling and beauty industry & community."
Another pal mourned the sudden loss of her “bubbly, fun, smiley, kind, beautiful Polly Pocket friend”.
She added: “Sadly our beautiful friend flew to heaven, she was slowed beyond words and along with her family and friends, a huge community are heartbroken, devastated, and in utter shock."
Many of Judy's colleagues at University Maternity Hospital Limerick also shared their condolences and sincerest sympathies.
Last March, Judy featured in an episode of First Dates Ireland.
She is survived by her parents Liam and Imelda, sister Lucy, brother William, brother-in-Law Pedro, and a large circle of friends.
