Sam Ludbey, widow of Jim Stynes, confirms marriage to Geoff Porz

THE widow of Melbourne great Jim Stynes has revealed the couple’s friends turned on her when she announced she had a new partner, who she has since married.

Sam Stynes who is the Ambassador for March Against Melanoma promoting this yearÕs March Against Melanoma.Picture Ian Currie.

THE widow of Melbourne great Jim Stynes has revealed the couple’s friends turned on her when she announced she had a new partner.

Sam Ludbey confirmed on radio this morning that she married Melbourne property developer and family friend Geoff Porz in April.

The day she was trying on her wedding dress, she had a fiery conversation with friends to defend her choice to move on.

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“I lost my temper and screamed down a phone and yelled and cried,” she told 3AW.

“I was having my dress made straight after that phone call and I was teary and shaken.”

But it was the support she received from Jim’s mother and her own mum and stepfather that helped her feel confident in her decision.

“I feel a great responsibility to carry on Jim’s legacy as best as I can,” she said.

“At the same time, I figured I sort of have to have my own life as well so I think being quiet about it also shows a level of respect for Jim and people who love Jim.”

Jim Stynes and Sam.

She said Jim’s mum had been “fantastic”.

“She took my hand and she looked me in the eye … she just said ‘now’s your time … move on, rebuild a life for yourself.”

Ms Ludbey, who is now working in child care, said she had finally started to feel “normal” again after feeling the rug had been pulled out from under her family upon her husband’s diagnosis, and death in 2012.

“I feel like the rug’s back down there,” she said.

She added that she was enjoying her new blended family of five “fabulous, soulful” kids, and felt lucky to have a new husband who understood Jim would always be in her heart.

“He’ll be in my heart and soul forever,” she said.