The soap opera community has been deeply touched by the passing of beloved Days of our Lives matriarch Peggy McCay, who played the role of Caroline Brady for the last 35 years. Soap Central shared some of the earliest online tributes to the celebrated actress upon news of her death, but since then, emotional postings have flooded social media. The heartfelt messages and memories are proof that McCay left an indelible mark on everyone she met throughout her 90 years of life.
"This past Sunday we lost our dear Peggy McCay, known to her fans as Days of our Lives matriarch Caroline Brady," shared DAYS executive producer Ken Corday. "A strong woman and actor, Peggy fought tirelessly for the members of her community, and her spirit lives on in those causes. On a personal level, Peggy was like a grandmother to my children and a beloved member of our family. Her wonderful spirit will be deeply missed by all of us at Days of our Lives and her fans."
From postings by Jen Lilley (Theresa Donovan) to Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux), Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady) to Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady), below are some of the poignant messages McCay's family from the daytime community has shared. But before reading the heartfelt tributes, grab a tissue and watch a clip from McCay's final DAYS episode, which aired on August 24, 2016.
Peggy's last scene as Caroline Brady. 8/24/2016 ❤️⏳Rest In Peace Peggy McCay. #Days pic.twitter.com/xmzjjAbCBT
— DOOLEpisodes (@DAYSEpisodes) October 10, 2018
"Every day working with Peggy was a win. She had such an incredibly colorful & often hilarious history in tv. I was so lucky to hear her stories. She was feisty, funny & ever so talented. She was very much a grandmother to me and will miss her so much."
"Your ageless energy and spirit was one of a kind that filled any room you walked into. I'll forever appreciate hearing your witty stories of working on old films and passion for each one to follow. Truly inspiring. RIP Peggy McCay."
Your ageless energy and spirit was one of a kind that filled any room you walked into. I'll forever appreciate hearing your witty stories of working on old films and passion for each one to follow. Truly inspiring. RIP Peggy McCay🙏🏼 https://t.co/uG2LuDLw16
— Rob Wilson (@MrRobertScott) October 10, 2018
"'The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.' Coco Chanel #PeggyMcCay you did that with style, Grace & passion. You are greatly missed. Rest in peace fierce lady."
"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."Coco Chanel #PeggyMcCay you did that with style, Grace & passion. You are greatly missed 😘🙋🏻♀️rest in peace fierce lady 💔#days pic.twitter.com/NdMYE6866Q
— Lauren Koslow (@laurenkoslow) October 10, 2018
"RIP Peggy McCay. Feisty, witty, and not an unkind bone throughout her body. She was warm to me when I first entered the hallways of DOOL, and made every word she was given poetry. I will miss this true lady of daytime."
"We where truly blessed by your spirit, grace & passion! I am grateful for all our time together & to say my Daytime Grandmother was the GREAT Peggy McCay was a gift."
We where truly blessed by your spirit, grace & passion! I am grateful for all our time together & to say my Daytime Grandmother was the GREAT Peggy McCay was a gift #love #dool #family #peggymccay pic.twitter.com/XLGUPSlDnI
— Greg Vaughan (@greg_vaughan) October 10, 2018
"To Peggy McCay. I had a very special relationship with Peggy both on and off screen. She was Theresa's only champion, and like a grandmother (albeit a feisty one) behind the scenes. She was tough as nails, in the most hilarious spitfire way. Kind, but not a doormat. Peggy lived her life from a place of approval, not for approval. She excluded confidence, but she was always kind. Like Grandma Caroline, she just had that Irish fire. I'll never forget my first day working with Peggy. I was nervous because, y'all, she's a legend! After our scenes, Peggy and @patsypease came up to me in the hall, and Peggy looked at me, as if she was about to give me a proper dressing down, and quietly said, "so Pats and I have been talking about your work" I swallowed hard, like oh God, I knew it. I didn't do it well enough. She continued, "You're one of us. You have old school work ethic, and I like you a lot. It's a pleasure working with you" and then she bear hugged me, like Grandma Caroline would do to Theresa. I'll never forget that moment in my life. Since that day, Peggy was a mentor. A friend, and a great source of encouragement and wisdom. We will miss you every day Peggy."
"RIP Peggy McCay. She was as warm, friendly, and spunky in person as she was on screen. One of my favorite recent Caroline scenes was her speech at Will and Sonny's wedding... Peggy's performance was amazing. She will be missed!"
RIP Peggy McCay. She was as warm, friendly, and spunky in person as she was on screen. One of my favorite recent Caroline scenes was her speech at Will and Sonny's wedding... Peggy's performance was amazing. She will be missed! https://t.co/etYx1r8Z92
— Ryan Quan (@Rybry7) October 10, 2018
"Peggy McCay was always a kind, warm presence on the set of Day of Our Lives. She will be dearly missed."
Peggy McCay was always a kind, warm presence on the set of Day of Our Lives. She will be dearly missed.
— Christopher Sean (@ChristopherSean) October 10, 2018
"Another of the Days' greats is gone. From the day she arrived in Salem, Peggy was a shining star, and I so enjoyed writing for her. She brought such passion and professionalism to her work as Caroline Brady. RIP, Peggy. You will be missed."
Another of the Days' greats is gone. From the day she arrived in Salem, Peggy was a shining star, and I so enjoyed writing for her. She brought such passion and professionalism to her work as Caroline Brady. RIP, Peggy. You will be missed. ⏳❤️ #days #peggymccay #carolinebrady pic.twitter.com/2cAeJCwAtf
— Sheri Anderson (@sheriawriter) October 10, 2018
"RIP Momma Brady... What a truly wonderful woman... Blessed that I got to act opposite you... You will be missed and loved."
RIP Momma Brady... What a truly wonderful woman... Blessed that I got to act opposite you... You will be missed and loved all of the @DaysofourLives @nbcdays #PeggyMcCay #rip https://t.co/hAIKb1vja8
— Darin Brooks (@THEEdarinbrooks) October 10, 2018
"Sad to wake to the news that Peggy has passed. Peggy McCay was kind, talented, strong, full of spunk and a true professional. I didn't know her well but did have the pleasure of working with her once. I was nervous to run lines with her. She was a legend and so respected. You didn't have to know her personally to know what a force she was. She must have been 80 when I worked with her and she was more with it than I was in my 30's."
"Just heard Peggy took her Final bow. RIP love...you're a star forever!"
Just heard Peggy took her Final bow. RIP love...you're a star forever!
— Billy Flynn (@billymflynn) October 10, 2018
"So sad to hear about the passing of #peggymckay. She was fierce & firey with the heart of a lion yet could be as soft as a petal. I always looked forward to our scenes together, eager to see what kind of spontaneous thing she'd do. She was loved & adored & will be missed."
So sad to hear about the passing of #peggymckay. She was fierce & firey with the heart of a lion yet could be as soft as a petal. I always looked forward to our scenes together, eager to see what kind of spontaneous thing she'd do. She was loved & adored & will be missed.#days pic.twitter.com/0NmVn8hMbP
— galen gering (@galengering) October 10, 2018
"Peggy #thankyou for all of your #kindness , #love & encouragement through the years . #loveu Rest In Peace"
"I feel so blessed to have known her, and worked with her... she was an animal lover... a superb actor... had an interest in fashion... fascinated in anything creative... inquisitive, supportive... and she was ageless. Not just an inspiration but a FIRECRACKER! Lucky me, lucky us... thank you, Peggy."
"Oh how I loved this woman! Her strength & professionalism was like no other! She set such an amazing standard for all of us....as actors & people. She will always be the [heart] & soul of the Brady family & she lives on in Salem and in our hearts."
Oh how I loved this woman! Her strength & professionalism was like no other! She set such an amazing standard for all of us....as actors & people. She will always be the ❤️ & soul of the Brady family & she lives on in Salem and in our hearts. #restinpeacetvmama❤️ pic.twitter.com/ISLggDE9wf
— Mary Beth Evans (@marybeth_evans1) October 10, 2018
"Oh Miss McCay, There's quite a bit I have to say. A word this morning came to me when I heard the news : hutzpah. When we first met, you weren't so sure...but one press trip did it. We sat together & I listened as you practiced your rap. Yes a rap. I asked why rap? You said - "because I haven't done it yet, have you?" I can still recall the way you fearlessly took that stage in your 80s, fearless & brave, to go beyond self comfort for the sake of growth & a good challenge. Every time I saw you in the makeup chair there was a giant ear to ear grin, a welcoming hug & then the same exact sentiment - "so hows the work?" Peggy, you had an endless & intense love affair with acting. It inspires me to this day. Like a kid in a sandbox, she truly couldn't wait to roll up her sleeves & get to work. Watching Peggy portray her character's Alzheimer's while I felt I was losing my grandfather to it, brought me understanding, patience, and comfort. We talked often about how important that storyline was & the loneliness of being trapped in your own mind. You set the bar high. And up there, heaven just got a hell of a lot more fun."
Would you like to share your thoughts on McCay's passing and your favorite memories of the beloved actress? 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.
