Agnes Nixon's famous opening line for the bible that eventually become beloved soap opera All My Children seems almost as if it's also her parting words to us all when she said goodbye to the world on Wednesday, September 28.

"The great and the least, the rich and the poor, the weak and the strong, in joy and sorrow, in tragedy and triumph, you are all my children."

While the beautiful and haunting line echoed throughout the heads and hearts of many, both stars and friends Nixon worked with over the course of her 50+ year career took to social media to share their thoughts, memories and emotions in the wake of the legendary lady's passing.

Susan Lucci, who played one of Nixon's most famous characters, All My Children's headstrong diva Erica Kane, wrote: "I am devastated to learn that we have lost Agnes. I adored her and admired her -- and I am forever grateful to her! May this liveliest and loveliest of women rest in peace."

"I am so terribly saddened by the death of Agnes Nixon," wrote Erika Slezak (ex-Victoria Lord, OLTL) on her official website. "She was more than a great writer, producer and boss, she was a warm, loving and wonderful woman with a truly delightful and somewhat wicked sense of humor. It was my very great privilege to have known her and to have worked for her. When she hired me to play Viki on One Life To Live, she changed my life and my career and I will forever be grateful to her. I wish her peace and angels all around her. She deserves that!"

Alicia Minshew, who played Erica Kane's feisty daughter Kendall Hart wrote: "Just heard the sad news about the passing of the sweet and incredible genius #Agnesnixon. Makes me so sad. This is the last time I saw her. On the last shooting day of #AMC almost exactly 5 years ago. I was lucky to spend that time with her. She was a class act and a true talent. She helped give me the life and friendships I have today. And for that I am truly grateful to her. We all miss her stories and now will miss her as well. Thoughts and prayers are being sent to her family. RIP sweet Agnes."

"#RIPAgnesNixon One of the classiest ladies, I ever had the honor to meet. And so talented," Sarah Michelle, another of AMC's Kendalls, shared on Twitter.

Shared Eden Riegel, who played Erica's more angelic daughter Bianca: "So sad to hear that Agnes Nixon has passed away. She told stories that made the world better. She touched humanity. I will miss her."

"Agnes created one of the best characters I've ever played and was brilliant and KIND," shared Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee Smythe, AMC; now Hayden Barnes, General Hospital). "Love and prayers to her family."

"It is so sad to hear of Agnes Nixon's passing today. She was a great woman who really changed the world and made a great difference in my life and the lives of many women," Cady McClain (ex-Dixie Cooney, AMC) reflected. "I always appreciated how All My Children was so moral. In it's heyday, this was what defined it from other soaps. The good guys always struggled but won. We had a little church, and the characters prayed. Dixie did wrong things, but had a deep goodness to her."

"Sad to hear of the passing of Agnes Nixon," Josh Duhamel (Leo duPres, AMC) wrote on Instagram. "I'm thankful everyday that she created ALL MY CHILDREN and the character that gave me my first shot in the business. She will be missed."

"What I loved about her, was her completely willingness to give you her undivided attention if you asked her about her work, writing in general, characters, and how she did it," Catherine Hickland (Tess Wilder, Loving/The City; Lindsay Rappaport, OLTL). "What a woman she was, strong, smart, talented, creative, beautiful, gracious, and classy. I feel so blessed and honored to have worked with her. She gave me my start on ABC when I was cast on LOVING. So many of us.. writers, actors, directors, producers, owe her a debt of gratitude for what simply sprang from her imagination. What a woman. What a journey, what a purpose. What a run."

Actress Carrie Genzel (ex-Skye Chandler) was one of the first to see and comment on the news of Nixon's passing, writing: "#Agnes Nixon, it was an honor & a privilege to have been a part of your family. #RIP"

Wrote Robin Strasser, who played Another World's bombshell brunette Rachel Cory Hutchins and later went on to play OLTL dame Dorian Lord: "ALWAYS told to PLAY DOWN my ethnicity. Thanks to GR8 #AgnesNixon I got my 1st #DaytimeTV role." She later added, "Few can match the accomplishments of #AgnesNixon Her genius was a gift to many! She was generous, exacting, imaginative! Truly incomparable!"

Farah Fath, who played OLTL's Gigi Morasco, shared: "#RIP to the forever inspirational #AgnesNixon.. I am honored to have been a part of one your dynasties."

The Young and the Restless' Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea Newman; ex-Annie Chandler, AMC) wrote: "So sad to hear about the passing of Agnes Nixon. I owe her and #AMC so so much. A true trailblazer. May she rest in peace."

"Agnes Nixon was, to me, the epitome of class, erudition, and grace," shared Walt Willey (ex-Jack Montgomery, AMC). "Though tiny in stature, her creative genius filled her with a glow that fairly shown around her. She always had time for her actors, her 'children,' and truly loved them. She was tough and honest and I cherish every moment I ever spent in discussion with Agnes or just observing her as everyone in the room came to her as if to a most benign monarch. Agnes, you honored and delighted me every time we had anything to do with one another. You will be greatly missed."

Wrote Levin Rambin (ex-Lily Montgomery): "REST IN PEACE AND GOD BLESS to Agnes Nixon, the creator of All My Children who gave me my first break in the pursuit of my dreams. Love you."


"RIP Agnes Nixon," shared Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan Lavery, AMC). "It was such a pleasure to know you and be a part of your Pine Valley family."

"1st pro acting job was on #OLTL Where would I've begun without her? #AgnesNixon May she live on after death like any great soap character," wrote Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis, GH) on a day that also marked her 20th anniversary with General Hospital.

"She was always so sweet and soft-spoken and just a delight to be around," Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr Manning, OLTL) told Philadelphia's ABC affiliate WPVI. "She has left such a legacy behind."

"With fond memories, I thank #AgnesNixon & @allmychildren for my first work and introduction to the #soap genre. #gratitude," offered Kathleen Gati (Liesl Obrecht, GH)

"One Life to Live was my first experience in Soap operas," recalled Gina Tognoni (Kelly Cramer, OLTL; now Phyllis Summers, Y&R). "Agnes Nixon was a legend and pure class. We remember you today and thank you for everything you gave."

Former OLTL executive producer Frank Valentini, who now serves as EP for ABC's General Hospital, shared: "So sorry to hear about #AgnesNixon. I knew & loved her very much. She was a fantastic, incredible person. Rest in peace, Agnes. #Legend"

Another former OLTL EP, Jennifer Pepperman, wrote: "RIP Agnes Nixon, what a sad day. #OneLifeToLive #AllMyChildren What a brilliant storyteller and kind soul!!!!"

"Heartbroken to learn of the passing of Agnes Nixon, the legendary creator of All My Children and One Life to Live. Not only was she one of my biggest inspirations, she was also one of my biggest champions, always there for me throughout my career with her support, advice and encouragement," offered former OLTL head writer Ron Carlivati. "I will treasure the memories of the time we spent together, particularly one night that she took me to dinner at the 21 Club. Imagine being a lifelong soap opera fan and getting to spend the evening with this iconic woman in this iconic place. Another time, at the final celebration for One Life to Live on The View, she pulled me up on stage with her on live TV to make sure I was acknowledged. Thank you, Agnes, for your generosity, your wisdom, your sense of humor, and most of all your stories. You will never be forgotten."

Former General Hospital writer Michele Val Jean, who currently writes for The Bold and the Beautiful, shared: "Rip, #AgnesNixon. You were iconic, trailblazing and inspirational. We owe much to you."


GH head writer Jean Passanante, who got her start writing for OLTL and later took over head writing duties at AMC, wrote: "Devastate[d] by the death of Agnes Nixon, brilliant woman and pioneer who brought substance and humor to daytime. Grateful for her mentorship."

Former GH EP Wendy Riche shared, "The Amazing Agnes is gone leaving us a legacy of great storytelling. We will miss you dear Agnes. You taught us so much."

CBS Daytime also took a moment to bow in respect to Nixon, writing, "CBS Daytime mourns the loss of a true original and queen of daytime hearts, Agnes Nixon. Her contribution to the soaps will live on forever."

Both B&B and Y&R's official twitter handles echoed the sentiment: "Our hearts are heavy with the loss #DaytimeTV pioneer #Agnes Nixon. Our thoughts are with her family and fans."

The official Daytime Emmy Twitter handle posted, "We are very sad to hear of the passing of Agnes Nixon -- a true giant in our industry."

"I'm so very sad to have learned that the last true great lady of daytime drama, Agnes Nixon, has died at 88. It was my honor and pleasure to have known and worked with her. When she thrived, soaps were golden," Mimi Torchin, founding Editor-in-Chief of Soap Opera Weekly, wrote on Facebook. "And the fans had the great delight of watching her stories and carrying her characters in their hearts. Rest in peace, dear Agnes."

Even outside the immediate circle of daytime television, fans of soaps are also sharing their thoughts.

In a time when many may think of soap operas as a relic of the past, the iconic soap pioneer's name trended for much of the day on Twitter.

Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston was another Hollywood entertainer who shared his thoughts on the daytime icon's death. "I am saddened to hear of the passing of #AgnesNixon. Talented and kind, she gave me my start 33 yrs ago on Loving. Sweet passage dear one."


"Rest in Peace Agnes Nixon!!! Mother of so many great soaps!! And Erica Kane," wrote Bravo TV's Andy Cohen.

Bob Iger, Disney chairman and CEO, states: "It is with a heavy heart I mourn the passing of television pioneer Agnes Nixon, someone I was proud to call a friend. Agnes' impact on daytime television and pop culture is undeniable. She was the first to champion socially relevant topics, and the towns and characters Agnes brought to life leave an indelible imprint on television that will be remembered forever. On behalf of Walt Disney and ABC, I want to extend our deepest condolences to her family."


We will add additional memories as they become available, so please continue to check this article for updates.

For more on Nixon's death, including highlights from her long and pioneering daytime career, check out Soap Central's original article on the soap icon's passing.

What would you like to share about Nixon and the way she may have touched your life? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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