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Credit: ChrisD, Howard Wise, Jill Johnson/JPI

The ABC soap family is “completely heartbroken.”

Soaps.com is keeping the General Hospital family in our thoughts today as they mourn one of their own. N’Neka Garland, who was a producer with the ABC soap from 2015-2023, and prior to that, an assistant to the executive producer in the early 2000s, passed away following a heart attack on Monday, March 27, at the age of 49, as reported by our sister site, The Hollywood Reporter. She meant so much to her ABC family that they even named a character after her, N’Neka, the bartender at The Savoy.

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Laura Wright (Carly) took to Instagram to pay tribute to their “shining star” and recalled how her smile lit up a room and her laughter brought so much joy. “You had the gift of making everyone feel like they were your favorite,” she expressed. “I feel so, so lucky to have known you.” She thought back to times spent with Garland, who “truly cared about everyone,” and stated, “My heart is really, really sad tonight. And those who knew N’Neka – they understand.”

Wright’s daytime peers expressed their sadness as well in the comments, including Rebecca Budig (ex-Hayden), who shared, “N’Neka was the kindest. I loved her,” as Nicolas Bechtel (ex-Spencer) admitted, “This one hurts, may she rest in peace.” Sydney Mikayla (ex-Trina) also expressed how heartbroken she was, as did Hudson West (ex-Jake), who stated, “I am completely heartbroken! Loved N’Neka and will miss her very much. She was the best, she was beautiful and will be missed.” Days of Our Lives’ Brandon Barash (Stefan; ex-Johnny) added, “This shattered me today,” and Kristen Alderson (ex-Kiki) agreed, “I’m devastated.”

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The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS/Daytime Emmy Awards) reached out with a heartfelt remembrance as well, “Besides performing her plethora of responsibilities in increasingly higher-ranking positions within General Hospital, N’Neka Garland was also the show shepherd for the Daytime Emmys. For more than two decades, she worked with the administration team to create and submit the entries, promote judging, and work with on-site talent. Nobody was more knowledgeable about the process, and nobody performed it with as wide a smile as N’Neka. Every duty she performed — and there were so many — was done with a joy that radiated from within. The Daytime Emmys team mourns this sudden and tragic loss. We will miss her presence tremendously, and send our continued sympathies and condolences to N’Neka’s family, friends, and GH team.

Soaps.com sends Garland’s family, friends, and everyone at General Hospital our deepest condolences.

Join us by looking at our photo gallery below as we remember and honor other beloved members of the daytime world that were lost in 2022.