October 25 would have marked the 95th birthday of the beloved Jean Cooper, known for her iconic role as Katherine

Chancellor on The Young and the Restless. Although Jean passed away on May 8, 2013, over a decade ago, her

memory remains vivid in the hearts of many. Jess Walton, who played Jill Abbott and shared countless scenes with

Jean, took to social media to honor her late friend and co-star.

In her tribute, Jess posted a series of heartfelt photos and memories of Jean. The first post was a candid, somewhat blurry picture of the two actresses laughing together, accompanied by the caption, “Nobody made me laugh like you did.” Despite the photo’s quality, the joy and camaraderie between Jess and Jean were unmistakable.

Jess also shared a classic black-and-white photo from what she believed might have been their first day on set, featuring Jean, Jess, and Tom Beards. She reminisced about how Jean was a unique source of joy and inspiration for her. Another cherished memory Jess posted was from the 2009 wedding cake fight between Jill and Katherine, a standout moment from the show that Jess fondly recalled.

Jess’s post also included a call to fans, asking them to share their favorite memories of Katherine Chancellor in the comments section. Jean Cooper, renowned for her fierce dedication and her legendary portrayal of Katherine Chancellor, made an indelible mark on both The Young and the Restless and its audience. Jess described Jean not only as a mentor and friend but also as a mother figure who made everyone feel valued and seen.

Reflecting on their time together, Jess remembered how Jean welcomed her with open arms when Jess first joined the show, offering support and reassurance. Jess recalled Jean’s encouraging words, “Kid, you’ve got what it takes, just trust yourself,” which she said meant the world to her.

Their on-screen rivalry as Jill and Katherine was legendary, but off-screen, their relationship was filled with mutual respect and affection. Jess spoke about how some of her favorite memories on the show were the moments shared with Jean, from intense scenes to moments of laughter. She noted that Jean brought out the best in everyone around her.

As Jess looked back on the many birthdays and shared experiences with Jean, she felt a mix of sadness and gratitude. “I miss her every day,” Jess admitted, “but I feel so blessed to have had the chance to know her, to work with her, and to call her a friend.”

The tribute was momentarily interrupted when Jess received a message from a fan with a clip of one of her and Jean’s most memorable scenes together. Watching the clip brought tears to Jess’s eyes as she was overwhelmed by emotion. She ended her tribute with a quiet toast to Jean, saying, “Happy birthday, Jean. Thank you for everything.”

Even though Jean Cooper is no longer with us, her legacy continues to live on through the hearts of those who loved her and the countless lives she touched with her work.