Helen Wagner Obituary

As the world turns was one of the first soaps I watched with my mother. Nancy was a great mother on As the world turns. The soaps stars are nearly all gone, they gave us so much to look forward too many yeas ago. She will be with us always!

Godspeed Helen, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.

DELVIN BABITZKE

SINCE I RETIED I BEEN WATCHING Y&R SINCE 2011-.I WATCH AS THE WORLD TURNS SOME 40YRS AGO .THE REST OF THE SOAPS LONG GONE NOW .THEY ARE STILL IN OUR MINDS .HOLY SMOKE BEST OF THE BEST HAVE GONE LIKE JEANNE COOPER,AND THE REST OF THE HISTORY OF THE SOAPS.WHERE HAVE THEY ALL GONE.

OH HOW I HATED TO HEAR OF HER PASSING I KNEW THE SOAPS WERE TAPED WEEKS AHEAD, I DREADED THE DAY THEY WROTE IT IN..SHE HAD THE FACE OF EVERYONES MOTHER WE LOVED HER..

RIP Helen. You will be missed. I loved watching ATWT, with you in it. Anyone who knew you I know that you brought plenty of smiles to everyone's face that knew you.

I just realized that it's been over a year since our greatly admired Helen/Nancy passed away. How I do miss her and ATWT.
I wish there were some way to personally contact either Bob's or Helen's family because I have such a lovely recording of a 1999 interview that I conducted with them. I sent both tape and CD copies to Helen after Bob passed away and hopefully they were found among Helen's possessions.
My continued condolences are to the family and all of Helen's fans.
Fondly, Diane Levinson, San Carlos, CA [email protected]

As a young housewife and mother,I always looked forward to my afternoon "tea" with Nancy and Lisa.
I am now Lisa's age and miss the show and Nancy very much.
Condolences to the family.

I was six years old when Helen made her debut on As The World Turns. I watched every single show if I wasn't working and even took a TV/Radio combination to work so I could listen to the verbal part on the Radio at work. As a child I even ran from my school bus stop to get home in time to see ATWT. I cannot imagine the show no longer being on but more than that I cannot imagine a World without Helen Wagner. Though I never met her personally, she was a Mother and Grandmother figure in my life. God Bless you Helen and Thank you for many dedicated years of giving us all good advice on how to live life to the fullest. Prayers to your family and many many friends.

Thanks for the many years of enjoyment that you brought to so many. I know God has something special planned for you.

Helen Wagner shone as an accomplished actress with a remarkably long and successful career. She took the character of Nancy Hughes and gave her numerous layers. She never portrayed the cliche perfect wife and mother. Nancy could be tough (she was appalled when another character, a young woman, couldn't shell peas), judgmental and stubborn and she was nobody's fool. But all that was secondary to her sense of responsibility as a wife, parent, aunt, grandparent and friend. She was solid as a rock, a very beautiful rock. Helen breathed life into the ATWT scripts year in and year out. There was never the sense she was acting. She just brought Nancy alive with utter reality. Bless this beautiful, talented, hard working lady.

Many thoughts and prayers go out to Helen's family. She had a grand run on As The Worlds Turns maybe the thought of the show coming to an end was just to much for her. Would have great to have her say the closing lines of the show since she sid the opening lines on the first show so many years ago.
RIP Helen/Nancy We all love you..

Thank you for the memories. I have watched Helen since day one and will really miss ATWT. She was a great actress who brought family values to the show. She was a classy lady who will be missed. Thanks Helen!

Many thanks Helen for the many things that you taught all of those who watched As The World Turns. You were one classy lady who taught us all much. Today's tribute to you reminded me so much of losing my own grandmother. You will be sorely missed. R.I.P.

Thank you Ms. Wagner for your many years of wisdom and grace in life and in character. You provided a maternal figure to many of us for many years. Watching today's tribute episode brought up many memories of losing my own grandmother, thank you for always being warm, wise and cutting edge.

I grew up watching Helen with my mother and grandmother who have also passed away. I grieve with her family for she was a dear lady who gave so many people a feeling of home.

To the Grande Dame of daytime, the matriarch of As the World Turns: thanks for sticking with it. You made our hearts happy.

Thank you Helen for the many years you've given us. The tears, the laughter, the heartfelt moments...all of it. Thank you so very much.

What a wonderful and beautiful lady,you will never be forgotten,but will ALWAYS be missed.

I will miss seeing Helen on the show, My prayers and thoughts are with her family. She was a beautiful lady.

My deepest condolences to Helen's famiy and friends. I have watched ATWT for most of my life. What a marvelous,beloved, kind character she was. My own Mother and I would often joke that "My mother gave birth to me, but Nancy Hughes raised me."

My sympathy to all of Helen's family,also her tv family.I thought she was a wonderful actress and so soft spoken. I've watched the show for many,many years and was sorry to hear that it's going off the air.
Joyce Brooks, Binghamton,N.Y.

i feel so badly that she is gone. I have watched Helen since she beganon As The World Turns. I just saw her recently when Bob remarried Kim. I am 78 years old.She gave me happiness all these years. God bless her. Ginger Pagan

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2010

My condolences to Helen's family. I began watching ATWT in February, when learning the show was to end this coming September. Being age 58 now, many can likely understand a guy being curious. Many memories of neighbors watching the show in the 1957-era, and thinking "it will always be with us", but will now end this year. We take all these things for granted, until the losses occur. Persons, TV shows, old cars....all are a part of our lives. And all matter, to one extent or another. I always try to say "thank you" to all persons who made life good and interesting. None are ever forgotten.

I am so sorry to hnere she passed away and to here that as the world turns is going off the air.Why are they taking all the good tv soaps off the air for .I am fifty and I will miss themdearly.I a m disable so it is not like i can do a hole lot.

I grew up watching this lovely woman. She will be missed.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Nancy; she was loved by so many, especially my grandmother, now they will finally get to meet.

Wow. What an amazing career! I think her one regret would be not being around to tape the final show in September. A classy Lady!

My condolences are extended to the Wagner Family. Thank you sharing Helen with the world. May your memories of her comfort you in this difficult time.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Wagner Family,I grew up watching Her,Bob,Lisa and a host of others.Will be missed Nancy Hughes (Helen Wagner)

My condolences to Ms. Nancy Wagner 's Family. Ms Nancy is now in the hands of The Lord. Bless to All.
Sincerely,

An admirer from Connecitcut

A lovely lady who will be greatly missed.

My thoughts and prayers are with Helen Wagner's family. I was saddened to hear of her passing. Always enjoyed seeing her on ATWT, she will be greatly missed by her cast members as well as the fans. May she rest in peace. God Bless.

My heart goes out to Helen's family - her real one and her television one. I have been a fan of As The World Turns since the early days when I used to watch it when I was home from school. Helen's character Nancy was a wonderful character and I have missed seeing her on a regular basis on the show. It has been my sincere wish that ATWT producers would see fit to let Nancy have not only the first words but the last words as well - and maybe they still can in a flashback scene. That would truly be a wonderful gift to fans of hers and the show. May she rest in peace.
Penny Lewter

We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Wagner. She was a great star on As the World Turns. Our sympathy and prayers go out to the family and cast of the program. May God Bless each of you. Love In Christ,
Janet and Michael Moore

i loved your show my mom used to watch u all the time rip

I have been watching ATWT since the fifties.I grew up on east 67th st. between 2nd and 3rd ave. and would see her entering the studio. She would always say hello. God bless you Helen and rest in peace. You will be missed.

RIP nancy will miss you? i was younger gril when watching you in As The World Turns,will never forget you!! your loving fan jennie from GRAND JUNCTION, CLOLRADO? your in a beautiful place,RIP!!( sad)

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

My condolences goes out to her family and cast members of As the World Turns. I'm sure she will be sorely missed! I am also sorry to hear of the show ending in September. My mother watched this show for several years before her passing and I too have enjoyed it as well.

I was a young girl leaving in Baton Rouge,Louisiana with my aunt who watch Helen Wagner in the day time tv series . My prayers goes out to her family and tv family as well. She will be missed

She was one of the great ones of daytime soaps. She was soft spoken and was a very carring person. I will miss seeing her smilling face. I started watching As The World Turns in the early 80s. It still remains my favorite soap today. I will miss it when it goes off the air. To her family and friends I am so sorry for your loss. We all lost a great lady and good friend to everyone. God Bless, Teresa from Florida

I have watched Nancy for as long as I can remember. She was a true inspiration to me and I will miss her dearly on ATWT. My prayers go out to the family and all cast members of the show. Take care and God Bless.

rest in peace,Helen

I have watched As the world turns for many years---i loved Nancy on there

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I too watched with my grandmother and am still watching. Tape it every day and watch it on the weekend. She was always one of my favorites on ATWT. She had more than moral character in the show and in real life. May she rest in peace united once again with all her families gone before her. She will be long remembered and loved.
for myself and my grandmother who passed 5 years ago Linda and Susie

To the Family Of Ms. Wagner.
At this time of sorry I hope this note of sympathy brings peace. In the bible Revelation 21:3,4 tells us that soon daeth will be no more. The bible also tells us that we will be able to see our dead love ones again.As you rely on your faith May God bestow on this family Peace and Comfort until their is no more want.

she will be sorely missed when i was a young mother i wisshed to ne like her

My deepeth sympthy goes out to the family, I"ve watch the show down thru my high school days, and kept up with it, Nancy, was a very proud lady with love and consideration for the family.

Roberta Carter (Fieldale, Virginia)

I watched Nancy on As the World Turns with my grandmother. She will be deeply missed. She was a very good actress. My deepest sympathies to her family. Vickie Jeffery, Cannelton, WV

I will always remember her kneading bread dough. It reminded me of my grandmother and the warm feelings I had.
May God be with the family. I just lost my husband they were the same age he died on April 2, 2010 the same day she started the show April 2, but in 1956.
Mary K Praete

she will be missed i like watching her god bless to her family. i watch her when i was in school she was my best actor

It was with great sadness that I read of Nancy Wagner's passing. I have such fond memories of watching her on As the World Turns, when I was growing up in the 50's and 60's. My Mom and I watched it together, and after I grew up and had children of my own, I was still watching it! She was a wonderful actress who brought such joy into so many people's lives. She will be sorely missed by all her fans. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
Sincerely,
Terri McGregor
Brookfield, WI

I grew up watching Helen every day, while eating noon dinner with both of my parents. My father had gone to college with Helen at Monmouth College and he was always very proud of that fact. We kept track of her by watching the show every day. :) She was one of a kind, on a show that was one of a kind. Sorry to hear 2010 is the end of the road for both. My condolences to her family.

I watched this Soap from day 1. Nancy always looked and acted very well, even of late. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends. Her passing definitely makes us aware of our own mortality.

I've been a huge fan of As The World Turn for many years. I always liked the role Helen Wagner played, she will truly be missed by her family, extended family and friends.


Esther Fitch, Acworth, Georgia

my sympathy goes to her real family & her "tv" family. she was truly a lady. will miss as the world turns when it goes off air. i grew up watching the soaps. when i got lucky enough to be able to stay home, i continue to watch my programs.

She will be missed.My deepest sympathies to her family. I have been watching this show for many years.

Grew up with the Soaps, she was a lady, a fine actress, and a pretty woman, she always had dinner ready for her hubby (I think). Thanks for the memories from when a soap opera made sense. R.I.P.

my mom got me to watch the soap for almost 25 years. I will keep her family in my prayers slong with her soap opera family.

I remembering watching As the World Turns when I was in grade school...Helen Wagner (Nancy Hughes) was an excellent actor...like many others have said...."the soaps are our extended family" We will miss her and the series come this September 2010. Patricia Stevens-Blizzard (Temecula, CA)

I love As The world Turns hate they are taking it off of CBS.Nancy and the whole cast will be missed.

I like so many others grew up watching Mrs. Hughes each day. I was born in 1956 and "watched" (I was supposed to be taking a nap) way back when the show was only 15 minutes. My mom was Nancy's age and they looked alot alike. When my mom passed away in 2003, as odd as it sounds,I felt close to my mom when I watched the soap daily. My mom, also a Helen, and Nancy/Helen can talk about Lisa, Bob and the rest of the crew now for days and days and days. May Mrs. Wagner rest in peace. My condolences to her family on and off the show. She will be missed by many.

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one.i have watched this show since the early fifties and i am now sixty five years old. My children and grandchildren have watched it. we feel like we have lost one of own family members. the remaing of the show want be the same without her. i loved her character and i am sure she was as much of a woman as Helen Wagner as she was as Nancy Hughes in her moral standards of life. they need more of that on the shows today. if only there was more helen wagners in this world it would be a better place to live.My condolences to the family sincerely Irma Buchanan & Heather Self

We have watched the cbs soaps for decades.....they don't get any better than nancy....so sad...will the good ole days ever come back.....our soaps are our extended family!!!

As a 61 yr old woman, I watched As The World Turns fron childhood with my dear grandmother who passed away in 1981 at the age of 94 years. She never missed the show and Nancy was her favorite character slong with a very young Lisa :) in those days. She was a character one could look up to and she stayed true to that-she will be missed I know. I know my grandma has been in Heaven a long time but I am sure if Helen is there that when she entered- and Grandma saw her - She said to herself- Look, here comes Nancy Hughes!

I have watched As The World Turns since the first show opening show and I remember it so clearly as if it was yesterday. Today I still watch the soap especially after the invention of the VCR/DVD. She will be missed.

I watched As The World Turns when I was a little girl because my mom did then when I became a stay at home bride I did the same! I loved Nancy... I am sad to see the longest running show coming to an end but with us moms having to work now we can not stay home and watch our soaps and eat bonbons any more!! GO Soaps (Lisa Pendergrass, Veradale, WA)

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

I began watching ATWT in 1959 when I was first married. I identified with Nancy and wanted to be the type of mother that she was. I have continued to be a fan of Nancy's and ATWT and will be so saddened when the show ends in September. The absence of Nancy will be felt by all of us. She was like my next door neighbor.

So sorry for the loss of this lady to her family and friends-showing such grace and compassion with her talent. I have enjoyed tuning in, and thank you for the extended family you've given me.
This candle in your remembrance, as you shine brightly.

I've watched ATWT for many many years. My deepest sympathy to all the family including her family on As the World Turns.I know she will be missed by ALL..
Duchess H.

i watched her with my mom for 15 yrs then my mom passed continued to watch the show in memory of my mom so thank you miss hughes you were alsome katherine quade O'Fallon IL

I remember watching As the world turns with my Great grandma and grandma,Mom.We were watching the show the day President Kennedy was killed I was sitting at my moms feet playing with my baby doll, My Grandma was devastated, Everyone was screaming and crying, I was five years old. Funny how this show brings back all those memories.
My deepest sympathy to the family.
Ruth m

I have watched As The World Turns since i was 10 yrs old and still watching it. I am 56yrs old now. You will be deeply missed the show is not the same with out you

I watched her since the first, she was an inspiration to all the others and to all us viewers. I wish she could have lasted to the end of show, but God knows best. She was loved.

Watched As The World Turns with my mom and then when I moved out. In the past few years I've lost touch now I feel with the passing of Helen I forgot to keep in touch with a family member. R.I.P. you will be missed. Brenda Stanton (Danielson, CT.)

I always remember you when you were angry or fustrated, you always made bread and kneaded it.

Luan Bluffton SC

"Nancy" was on my childhood TV screen much of my childhood because Mom watched "As the World Turns" daily. As a kid I didn't know what all of the drama and romance was all about. I didn't get the arguing accentuated by organ music. But "Nancy Hughs" was always the anchor in the storm for the characters around her. Funny how I can have such fond memories of a soap opera character from the old black and white television days.

RIP Helen. A great lady

All was right with my world when I walked into my grandma's house and she had "As the World Turns" on and she would be happy to see us and discuss the show. Helen Wagner, personified good things and a gracious persona. We are happy and comforted when we see her on TV and hope to know women in our lives like she was on ATWT.

Dignity, always the Lady and a great actress in her trade. Rest Ms Helen, May ye rest in Peace.

We only just lost James Mitchell from AMC, and now Helen Wagner from ATWT. It seems that all the great ones are leaving us. Helen Wagner's achievement of playing the same character for 54 years is surely a record that will never be surpassed. We will all miss her terribly.

I was a fan years ago of As The World Turns Always like to Nancy Hughes on the shows. Sorry to hear news of her passing.
She was a special lady, and will be missed.

An inspiration to all who knew her character in As the World Turns. It would have been nice to have had her say the final words on the show as well as the first words. As a young girl I watched this daily with my grandmother who loved and watched it until the day she died. Rest in Peace Ms. Wagner.

I remember watching As the World Turns with my grandmother when I was just a kid I have watched it now for over 50 years.When I was younger I always wondered what it would be like to have parents like Chris and Nancy She always seemed to be able to solve any problem

I watched Helen since the first day. I am so sad for her passing. So glad she was able to make it to the celebration they just had for Bob and and Kim.

I was so saddened to hear about Nancy's death, I have been watching ATWT since Nov. 1956, along with my parents. She was a wonderful lady, my sympathies go out to all of Helen Wagner's family. I also truly hate to see ATWT come to an end in September. I do hope they are going to do a special, just about Nancy.

I am saddened to hear of Helen Wagner/Nancy's passing. I last saw her on Bob and Kim's 25th anniversary party on As The World Turns. Helen/Nancy was a lovely person and reminded me so much of my grandmother. I am 45 years old and will miss her and As The World Turns when it goes off the air in the fall. God Bless You Helen/Nancy.

I WILL MISS HER ON AS THE WORLD TURNS, SHE WAS AND INSPIRATION TO ALL WHO WHATCHED THE SHOW..VERY LOVELY PERSON..SHE WILL BE IN OUR MEMORIES....

As a loyal fan I will greatly miss Nancy/Helen and will miss my soap in the fall. God's peace on the Wagner family

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.