Roz Purcell has shared the heartbreaking reason she’s rushing to marry her fiancé Zach Desmond “as soon as possible”.
The popular influencer announced her engagement to the music promoter in August, after almost seven years together.
Speaking to the RTÉ Guide, Roz admitted the recent passing of her aunt Mary, nicknamed Mame, made her want to get married sooner rather than later.
The 33-year-old said: “We were hoping to get married as soon as possible because I have lots of older relatives.
“Our plan was to get married so that Mame could be at the wedding, but she sadly passed away a few weeks ago. She was a huge part of our childhood and was like a second mum to us.
“It was auntie Mame who instilled my love of baking and it was she who kept us busy and entertained as children.
“And yes, Mame, will get a big mention at the wedding.”
Roz also confessed the passing of her aunt made her rethink her plans to have children.
“For a long time, I thought that there was no way I’d have children but now I’m back and forth,” she said.
“Sometimes I think I’m too selfish and just want to travel the world. Then at other times, especially since the passing of my aunt, I’m thinking that having a family would be so nice.”
Roz has been dating Zach since 2016, following her split from The Blizzards frontman Bressie.
Zach is the son of music moguls Denis Desmond and Caroline Downey, who run MCD Productions, and he works as a promoter.
Last month, the former Miss Universe Ireland encouraged her followers to reach out to their elderly relatives following the death of her aunt Mary.
Speaking on her Instagram Story at the time, Roz said: “Last weekend was a terrible weekend for our family. We lost our aunty Mary.
“I’m sure there are lots of people watching this that have an aunty they’re super close with. She was really a core part of our family, so it’s just awful.”
“Give your elderly relatives a call. It’s not even 9 o’clock, they’re going to still be up. Ring your parents, your grandparents, your aunties, whoever it is – give them a call.
“Honestly, right now, give them a call, check in. You know how sometimes you’ll be like, ‘Oh, this weekend I’ll call down to see my granny or my parents,’ and then when the weekend comes, you might be like, ‘You know what, I’ll do it next weekend.’
“Do it this weekend and just get off your phone when you’re with them. That’s all I have to say,” she added.
