Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick shares how his ‘beloved’ mother has died aged 92

upervet star Noel Fitzpatrick is mourning the death of his mother, Rita, who passed away yesterday aged 92. The TV star and his family issued a statement announcing the sad news.

The statement, seen by The Mirror, read: “Our beloved mother, Rita Fitzpatrick (92), passed away peacefully in her home at Esker, Mountmellick, on Wednesday 2 February.

“Rita was predeceased by her husband Sean, brothers Tom, Sean and Pat, her sister Marie and her daughter-in-law Sheila.

“She is mourned by her sister Philomena, her children John, Mary, Frances, Grace, Noel and Josephine, her daughter-in-law Geraldine, her sons-in-law Robert, Liam, Willie and Patrick, her brother-in-law PJ, her sisters-in-law Bernie, Ettie and Sadie, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, wonderful neighbours and everyone in her care team.”

Noel was able to spend time with his mum ahead of her death last Christmas Day.

The TV star made history in 2009 when he became the first veterinary surgeon in the world to successfully apply an amputation prosthetic (PerFITS) to a cat who had lost both hind feet in an accident.

In 2014, Noel was featured in the Guinness World Book of Records for this work.

However, Noel does not boast his accolades and likes to focus on the animals, with his work being “a way of life.”

Speaking to the Metro last year, he said: “If you come into my office you won’t see any of my degrees or awards on the walls because I don’t believe they define you.”