'General Hospital' star Sonya Eddy honored by co-stars in tribute episode: 'A beautiful soul'

“General Hospital” star Sonya Eddy looked out for those she loved, both on and off screen.

Eddy’s castmates honored the late actress and her character, nurse Epiphany Johnson, in the latest episode of the ABC soap opera Wednesday. Eddy died in December following surgery.

“General Hospital has lost one of its best,” one of the show’s characters said during a preview for the episode.

Eddy’s co-stars also reflected on the actress’s personal legacy in an interview with ABC News published Wednesday.

"Sonya was such a beautiful soul. Her smile would light up everybody's day,” Lynn Herring said. “She never complained about being tired. She was a spark of joy."

Eddy died at the age of 55 due to “an uncontrollable infection (after) a scheduled, non-emergency surgery" at a hospital in Burbank, California, her business partner Tyler Ford confirmed to USA TODAY in December.

Eddy made her “General Hospital” debut in 2006, starring as a nurse and mother of Stan Johnson (Kiko Ellsworth) for over a decade. She later became a regular cast member on the prime time spin-off, "General Hospital: Night Shift."

“I know she was the head nurse of General Hospital, but she truly was that figure in our personal lives," co-star Rebecca Herbst told ABC News. "It's been really hard."

Finola Hughes added: "She had such a mix of humor and strength. She would laugh at anything and gave the best hugs I ever had."

In addition to "General Hospital," Eddy’s other acting credits included Señora Porter in Warner Bros' "The Middle" and Deb in ABC's "Fresh Off the Boat." She also made appearances in television sitcoms including "Married... with Children," "Seinfeld," "Home Improvement," "Glee," "Mike & Molly," "2 Broke Girls" and "PEN15."

"The lights in the hub of the nurse’s station will now be a little dimmer,” wrote Frank Valentini, "General Hospital" executive producer, following Eddy’s death. “But her spirit and light will live on in both the show and our set."

Contributing: Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'General Hospital' star Sonya Eddy honored in tribute episode