How time flies; 20 years on soap years can seem like an eternity.  How quickly a 20-year relationship, romance and then marriage, can be turned upside down and onto its head without any explanation at all. When shows make changes to their writing team or production crew, they run the risk of losing focus to their television serials structure, backbone and history. Unfortunately, we have seen the sudden cancellation of two daytime soap operas – One Life To Live and All My Children, serials that have brought television drama into the homes of many for generations.
 
There is no doubt that the soap opera industry is fighting for survival. Only a handful of daytime soaps remain on screen or tied to a tight contract – Days of Our Lives is one of them. Several new storylines have begun to form on the show, which has seen viewer outrage and backlash, one in particular that story of Jennifer Rose Horton (Melissa Reeves) and her sudden loss of love for her husband Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford).
 
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On Friday’s tearful episode of Days of our Lives Salem’s residents said goodbye to Alice Horton (Frances Reid) as she was laid to rest. The scenes, which brought back many familiar faces and fan favorites, featured flashbacks of Alice with her beloved husband Tom Horton (Macdonald Carey) as well as other pivotal DAYS’ characters. I must admit all the flashbacks had me heading for YouTube to find even more. I couldn’t help but get a bit misty-eyed as her loved ones each shared what she meant to them before placing flowers on her casket. Rest in peace Alice, Salem won’t be the same without you.

Share your favorite Alice Horton memories in the comments and see screencaps from Friday's episode after the jump. READ MORE

Days of Our Lives legends Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Doug and Julie Williams) discussed returning to the show for the upcoming memorial of Alice Horton (Frances Reid) with Days Insider at NBC.com.

Days Insider: What has it been like reuniting with some of the actors returning to the show?

Susan: It's been wonderful. We had a moment when Ken Corday was on the stage, and he had been watching the scenes being filmed. He's usually not on the set, but this time he was. He begin snapping photos of all of us, and the more photos he took, the more actors gathered around to be in his photos. Ken kind of felt like a dad taking a photo of all his kids. It was a sentimental and emotional moment.

Bill: This whole experience, which has now been 40 years for me is like a family. It may be cliché to say, but it really is a second family. To have all of these actors back for the memorial, it's like seeing some of the closest people in your life. So many wonderful characters back on the show, it was great to see. I love the fact the writers brought them back for this special tribute.

The couple also revealed what viewers are in store for once Alice's memorial finally hits the screens.

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We always got in trouble [when we worked together] because we would be laughing about something and get in trouble with the producers. Frances was very, very funny.

Renee Jones (Lexie) recalls a funny story about Reid. Jones said,

When Frances would come around … I didn't work with her very often. Whenever I saw her, I would be on my Ps and Qs because this woman demanded respect. [One time,] she was saying her lines, and she says, "Oh, #$#%." That was so cool, because it showed what a down-to-earth person she was. Working with her, you would never know she conquered stage and the big screen. She never made you feel as if you were beneath her. To me, that is class.

Photo by PR Photos