On a Bittersweet Occasion, Young & Restless’ Jess Walton Shares How She and Her Late Husband Would ‘Always Celebrate Together’
Wednesday, February 16th, 2022
Some traditions are too important to break.
For many folks, February is a month of frilly hearts, sweet candies and sweeter love. For Young & Restless‘ Jess Walton (Jill), though, the month got off to a rough start as she faced the six-month anniversary of husband John James’ passing. It’s a difficult milestone to hit, but Walton’s story doesn’t end there.
Rather than let it send her to a dark place, the actress seems to have embraced the rest of the month as a way to remember and celebrate the love that she shared with her husband of over forty years.
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On Valentine’s Day, she shared a wonderfully sweet photo of her and her husband, cowboy hat and all, and wrote simply, “John, my forever Valentine.”
It’s clear that the love she feels for him is just as strong as ever and the touching post was a wonderful way to celebrate with the man she’ll always hold in her heart.
Two days later, Walton celebrated another day that’s arguably more meaningful to the couple.
“Happy birthday to my John,” she wrote on Instagram as she shared photos of the two of them with dual birthday cakes. “Our birthdays are two days apart, so we’d always celebrate together.”
There’s something even more endearing about the two of them knowing that their birthdays were so close, they really did share everything together.
Her fans immediately began wishing her husband a happy “heavenly birthday” and offering their support, prayers and love.
We’d also like to wish them both a happy birthday as we keep Walton in our thoughts. As sweet as her celebratory posts are, we know this has to be a difficult time right now. We’re just glad to see she’s making it through with warm memories and love.
If you’re feeling up to it before you go, why not check out our gallery honoring the soap stars who’ve passed in the past year. For many of us, they brought love into our homes even in the darkest of times.
Image: ABC
1/25
<p>Longtime <em>General Hospital</em> actor <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/588852/general-hospital-john-reilly-sean-donely-dead/" target="_blank">John Reilly passed away at 84</a> on January 9, 2021. Fans will never forget Port Charles’ Sean Donely, as well as the various other daytime characters he played. Like many others, fellow <em>General Hospital</em> actress <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/588922/john-reilly-dead-general-hospital-costars-tributes/" target="_blank">Finola Hughes recalled her dear friend</a>, “Darling John Reilly… One of the first days I walked on the set, this tall, handsome man in a leather jacket sauntered towards me. In his deep, all-American growl, he welcomed me to the show and told me he would be there for me should I ever need anything. Boy was he true to his word.” </p>
Image: Michael Germana/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
2/25
<p>Soap opera vet <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/589384/peter-mark-richman-soap-star-dynasty-dead-tribute/" target="_blank">Peter Mark Richman passed away</a> at the age of 93 on January 14, 2021. He created the role of C.C. Capwell on <em>Santa Barbara</em> and appeared in the primetime soapy hit <em>Dynasty</em>, as well as on the Saturday morning children shows <em>Electra Woman</em> and <em>Dyna Girl</em>. </p>
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3/25
<p>Soap alum <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/592147/general-hospital-christopher-pennock-soap-star-dead-76/" target="_blank">Christopher Pennock passed away</a> on February 12, 2021. The actor appeared on <em>Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, The Young and the Restless</em> and <em>Guiding Light</em>. </p>
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4/25
<p><em>Guiding Light</em> alum <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/593534/guiding-light-dynasty-geoffrey-scott-dead-79/" target="_blank">Geoffrey Scott passed away</a> on February 23, 2021 at the age of 79. He also appeared on <em>General Hospital</em> and played Krystle Carrington’s first husband Mark Jennings on <em>Dynasty</em> — not to mention appeared in numerous popular commercials. Remember the Marlboro man?</p>
Image: George De Sota/JPI
5/25
<p><em>Guiding Light</em> and <em>All My Children</em> alum <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/593608/soap-star-dead-gil-rogers-all-my-children-guiding-light/" target="_blank">Gil Rogers passed away</a> on March 2, 2021 at 87. The actor will always be remembered by soap fans for playing one of daytime’s most notorious villains.</p>
Image: Netflix/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
6/25
<p>Legendary actress <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/595651/jessica-walter-dead-at-80-arrested-development-soap-actress/" target="_blank">Jessica Walter passed away</a> on March 24, 2021. To daytime fans, she’ll be remembered for playing Eleanor Armitage on <em>One Life to Live</em>, but to others as the matriarch on <em>Arrested Development</em> — not to mention numerous other credits.</p>
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7/25
<p>Actor <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/595774/soap-opera-star-dead-robert-rodan-dark-shadows-adam/" target="_blank">Robert Rodan passed away</a> on March 25, 2021 at the age of 83. He’s known for playing Adam, Frankenstein’s monster stand-in, on <em>Dark Shadows</em>.</p>
Image: Lisa Rose/JPI
8/25
<p><em>General Hospital</em> alum Billie Hayes (ex-Agent Brighton O’Reilly) passed away at 96 of natural causes on Thursday, April 29. Former co-star Tristan Rogers (Robert) recalled their “magical relationship” <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/599133/general-hospital-tristan-rogers-mourns-co-star-billie-hayes-dead-96/" target="_blank">in a remembrance post</a>. </p>
Image: Courtesy of the Everett Collection
9/25
<p>Soap alum <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/599495/soap-opera-star-dies-dead-tawny-kitaen-whitesnake-video/" target="_blank">Tawny Kitaen passed away</a> on May 7, 2021. She will always be remembered for her iconic 1980s Whitesnake videos, as well as the 1984 film <em>Bachelor Party</em>.</p>
Image: Courtesy Everett Collection
10/25
<p>Soap alum <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/601277/soap-star-dead-robert-hogan-another-world-general-hospital/" target="_blank">Robert J. Hogan passed away</a> on May 27, 2021. He was known for roles on <em>Another World, General Hospital</em> and other daytime and primetime hits.</p>
Image: Courtesy of the Everett Collection (2)
11/25
<p>John Gabriel <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/602218/soap-star-john-gabriel-dead-90-ryans-hope-seneca-beaulac/" target="_blank">passed away on June 13, 2021</a>. He was best known for his role as Dr. Seneca Beaulac on <em>Ryan’s Hope</em> and appeared on various other soap operas.</p>
Image: ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection (2)
12/25
<p><em>All My Children’s</em> <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/603275/all-my-children-ray-macdonnell-dead-joe-martin-soap-star/" target="_blank">Ray MacDonnell passed away</a> from natural causes on June 10, 2021. The daytime vet was best known for playing the role of Pine Valley’s Dr. Joe Martin.</p>
Image: Paul Skipper/JPI, ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection (2)
13/25
<p><em>General Hospital</em> favorite <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/603395/general-hospital-stuart-damon-alan-quartermaine-dead-84/" target="_blank">Stuart Damon passed away</a> at 84 due following a struggle with renal failure. The actor was best known for playing Port Charles’ Dr. Alan Quartermaine.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
14/25
<p><em>Days of Our Lives</em> and <em>Another World</em> alum <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/603631/days-of-our-lives-another-world-alum-philece-sampler-dead/" target="_blank">Philece Sampler died in July 2021</a>. She played the daughter of Salem’s Stefano DiMera and had numerous credits throughout the years.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
15/25
<p><em>General Hospital</em> alum <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/615270/general-hospital-bergen-williams-dead-big-alice/" target="_blank">Bergen Williams passed away</a> on July 20, 2021. She was 62 and will always be remembered for playing Port Charles’ Alice Gunderson.</p>
Image: ABC / Courtesy of the Everett Collection
16/25
<p>Soap vet <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/605869/port-charles-actor-jay-pickett-frank-dead-while-filming-movie/" target="_blank">Jay Pickett passed away on July 30</a> while on the set of his new movie. The actor is best known for his <em>Port Charles</em> and <em>Days of Our Lives’</em> roles. </p>
Image: Courtesy Everett Collection
17/25
<p><em>Another World’s</em> <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/607705/soap-star-dead-micki-grant-another-world-first-black-contract-actress/" target="_blank">Micki Grant passed away</a> on August 21, 2021 at the age of 92. She was the first Black actress who held a contract soap role.</p>
Image: © Aaron Spelling Prod; ABC/Courtesy: Everett Collection
18/25
<p><em>Dynasty</em> and <em>All My Children</em> actor <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/607749/all-my-children-dynasty-soap-star-michael-nader-dead/" target="_blank">Michael Nader passed away</a> on August 23, 2021 from cancer. He was best known for playing Erica Kane’s husband, Dimitri, on the ABC soap. </p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
19/25
<p>In September, the soap vet’s colleague at the University of Nevada, where he worked as a film professor, disclosed that he had <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/610630/soap-star-michael-tylo-dead-73-bold-beautiful-general-hospital/" target="_blank">passed away at 73</a>. Though he’d appeared on everything from <em>Another World</em> to <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em>, he is most vividly remembered as Quint Chamberlain on <em>Guiding Light</em> and twins Blade and Rick on <em>The Young and the Restless.</em></p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Aaron Montgomery/JPI, Sean Smith/JPI
20/25
<p><em>The Young and the Restless</em> veteran actor <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/614674/young-restless-jerry-douglas-dead-died-john-abbott/" target="_blank">Jerry Douglas passed away</a> on November 9, 2021 at the age of 88. He will always be remembered for playing Genoa City’s John Abbott, the patriarch of one of the CBS soap’s legendary families.</p>
Image: CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection
21/25
<p>Soap actress <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/616204/soap-star-dead-as-the-world-turns-lisa-brown-martha-byrne-tribute/" target="_blank">Lisa Brown passed away</a> on Novemver 24, 2021 at 67. She was best known for playing Nola Reardon on <em>Guiding Light </em>and Iva Snyder on <em>As the World Turns.</em></p>
Image: ©ABC/Everett Collection
22/25
<p>Former soap actress Arlene Dahl passed away on November 29 at the age of 96. Daytime fans may recall her role as Lucinda Schenck on <em>One Life to Live</em>, as well as Lady Lucille on <em>All My Children</em>.</p>
Image: Paramount/Courtesy of the Everett Collection (3)
23/25
<p>Eddie Mekka, best known for playing Carmine “The Big Ragoo” Ragusa on <em>Laverne & Shirley</em> <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/news/616684/soap-laverne-shirley-eddie-mekka-dead/" target="_blank">passed away at the age of 69</a> on November 27, 2021. Daytime fans may remember him from his roles on <em>Bold & Beautiful, Guiding Light, Sunset Beach</em> and <em>Young & Restless</em>. </p>
Image: Image: NBC
24/25
<p>Actress <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/617440/days-of-our-lives-star-dead-rhonda-stubbins-white-lady-vi/" target="_blank">Rhonda Stubbins White passed away</a> on December 13, 2021 at the age of 60. She was known to daytime fans as Lady Vi on <em>Days of Our Lives</em>. </p>
Image: Walt Disney Co./Courtesy of the Everett Collection
25/25
