IN MEMORIAM: GH actress Elmarie Wendel dead at 89

Elmarie Wendel, who played General Hospital's Peg in a powerful story arc back in 2008, has passed away.

The General Hospital family is mourning the passing of one of its longest-tenured members. Donna Messina, the head of General Hospital's Makeup and Hair department, was beloved by the cast and crew since joining the ABC soap on August 26, 1982. She passed away on December 6.

"Sometimes you meet someone in life you just connect with and then unfortunately life just takes that person away," Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) shared on Instagram. Calling Messina "my best friend my sister," Benard added, "I will never forget what you meant in my life."

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In a Twitter posting, Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos) said "We lost our GH mom ....... you will be deeply missed."

"Donna welcomed me and treated me like a long lost Italian family member from day 1," Dominic Zamprogna shared. "Always supportive always smiling. Heart. Broken. Rest easy beautiful Donna."

"Donna Messina preceded my arrival to GH, and I got there in '92! I loved her, as we all did, for her support and kindness, her no-bullshit attitude and honesty," Jon Lindstrom (Kevin Collins) posted to Instagram. "I miss her already. R.I.P."

"[M]y heart breaks," added Wally Kurth (Ned Quartermaine). "I had not heard this until now. I was at the studio on Wednesday and as always, wanted to know how she was doing. Now this. She was a fan of the show and a fan of the entire cast and crew. We were HER fans! I will miss you Donna..."

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