Jill Covitz: Sydney woman tragically drowns at Marcus Beach

A 52-year-old Sydney woman who tragically drowned while holidaying in Noosa has been remembered for her optimism and love for life after her passing.

A beloved partner, best friend and Sydney event producer’s tragic holiday death has left family and friends shattered after she lost her life in the surf in the Noosa region.

Jill Covitz, 52, had been swimming at Marcus Beach, south of Noosa Heads, on Tuesday morning when she was found unresponsive in the water.

Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Trent Robinson said surfers brought the Five Docks woman to shore and performed CPR until paramedics arrived and continued treatment.

Sadly she was not able to be saved.

Jill Covitz sadly lost her life at Marcus Beach on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

Tributes have begun to flow honouring the life of a woman who was “always smiling” whose infectious personality meant many people gravitated towards her.

Lifelong friend Melissa Leggett said she had been numb since the news of her Ms Covitz’s heartbreaking passing.

“I’ve been frustrated and just numb since I’ve heard,” Mrs Leggett said.

“I’m just trying to focus on what needs to be done first like helping her family and her mother and communicating with her friends and then I think I’ll be breaking down.”

Born in New York, Ms Covitz and Mrs Leggett met at Syracuse University more than 30 years ago where they instantly clicked.

Mrs Leggett has gone down memory lane since her mate’s death recalling their time studying in London together and backpacking through Europe and Australia.

“Her heart was here from the moment we stepped off that plane,” Mrs Leggett said.

“She loved Australia instantly and when she set her sights on something she would follow through with it.

“Jill was even one of those people when she received her citizenship in Centennial Park 12 years ago she gave a speech.

“She just made things happen.”

After studying degrees in television and film production Ms Covitz had a stellar career working for Sony Music, the Sundance Film Festival and Martha’s Stewart’s television show Living.

Her passion for event management after moving to Australia in 2003 led her to work with the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Foxtel to name just a few.

Ms Covitz even worked with the NRL, Macquarie Bank, Tourism NSW and News Limited before creating her own events company in 2011.

Mrs Leggett said her dear friend was looking forward to the exciting prospects of 2022 with several projects underway as an entrepreneur.

“She was even going to that TV show this year [Adventure All Stars],” she said.

“Jill was really looking forward to this year, she had so much happening.”

Ms Covitz had been in Noosa for a retreat according to Mrs Leggett and said a jog and a swim at the beach was a part of her daily routine.

“She would always jog to the beach as an early riser and go for a swim around 6am,” Mrs Leggett said.

“So many of us are in shock now as it’s all just so sudden.”

The 52-year-old’s “optimism and positivity” will be missed in the world according to Mrs Leggett, who said her friend had brought that attitude to all aspects of her life.

“She made long lasting connections and lived for every second and every minute of every day,” Mrs Leggett said.

“All I can do is think of the stories and laugh of all the times we had together.

“Yesterday I was filled with tears just reminiscing … she lived such a full life.”

Ms Covitz leaves behind her mother Ann Covitz, family and friends.