Meanwhile, Jenna's worst fears were realized when Jeffrey showed up to claim his son., Rocky. The abidingly devoted mother vowed to sacrifice her own life before allowing that baby, or Buzz, to be hurt.

    In an act of true desperation, to protect her family, Jenna hurtled the car containing the two of them off the road -- and to their ultimate demise.  Though Jeffrey died on the spot, Jenna lingered long enough for Buzz to arrive and say good-bye to the woman that had become his whole heart.

    For their agonizingly real performances as partners who were forced to separate much too soon Soap Opera Magazine honors Fiona Hutchison (ex-Jenna) and Justin Deas as Stars of the Week.

    From the start, the events surrounding Jenna's death were attended to with painstaking realism  But is was the shockingly real performances given by Emmy-nominated Hutchison and record holding, six-time Emmy winner Deas that brought those last horrifying moments to life.

    "Justin is fabulous,: says head writer Barbara Esensten.  "There's nothing that you can't give to this actor.  The delivery of the scenes, he pauses he takes, the time he takes, the cadence he speaks in are all marvelous.  And Fiona absolutely did the character proud.  No one ever wants to leave a show, but to give her credit, she really thanked us for giving her the material.  And to the very last word she spoke as an actor on this show, she was professional so much in the scene.  She and Justin were superb."

    But even after Buzz and Jenna's poignant good-bye, both actors still had their work cut out for them. Though she had already shed her mortal coil, Jenna returned in spiritual form to offer support to her grieving family and friends.

    "You see Buzz lose her, and you see him in such desperate straits, not knowing if he can say the words in front of the audience at the memorial service that's awaiting him.  And she comes back to help him because even in death she's still with him," Esensten adds.  Fiona's great challenge that day was not to overplay it, to get all the depth of emotion while keeping calm, and she did it.  She pulled it off completely, and it was wonderful."

    But for Hutchison, Jenna's untimely death was doubly poignant.  Onscreen she had to play a woman saying good-bye to her truelove for the last time.  Offscreen she also had to bid farewell to a character she has played on and off since 1992.  But Hutchison credits the show with giving Jenna and Buzz's unique relationship a proper tribute.

    "It was hard, there's no doubt about that.  When Paul Rauch [GL's Executive Producer] told me that I would be getting a huge send-off, I was skeptical," she says.  "But I have to say, I'm in the process of writing him a personal note saying, 'By God, thank you.  I have you to thank for one of the most difficult and profound experiences of my career.'  As far as working with Justin, it's been tremendous.  I have such high regard for him, as a man and as a performer.  I consider myself in that elite group of actresses who have been partners of his, and I'm envious of any actress who will follow."

--Lisa Backus