Hallmark Channel Stars We Lost in 2025: A Heartfelt In Memoriam

The Hallmark Channel has always tried to be a warm, familiar refuge for viewers. But in 2025, that sense of family was really put to the test by a heartbreaking string of losses.

From beloved on-screen grandmothers to behind-the-scenes heroes and cherished loved ones of Hallmark stars, the network and its fans found themselves grieving together. It’s tough to sum up what these people meant, but this tribute looks back on the lives and legacies of the Hallmark family members we lost in 2025.

They brought joy to millions and left quiet, lasting impressions even when the cameras stopped rolling. It’s impossible not to feel the absence.

The Hallmark Family Says Goodbye

Hallmark isn’t just a TV brand. For decades, it’s been a community built on comfort, familiarity, and emotional storytelling.

When members of that community pass away, the loss hits fans who welcomed these faces into their homes year after year. In 2025, the network mourned actors, crew members, and loved ones whose contributions shaped Hallmark storytelling in visible and invisible ways.

Their stories reflect the breadth of the Hallmark family. From iconic performers to unsung heroes, each left their mark.

Paula Shaw: The Grandma Everyone Loved

Paula Shaw truly embodied the Hallmark spirit. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 10 at age 84.

Shaw’s legacy was built on warmth, humor, and resilience. She started acting in the 1970s, showing up in classics like Barney Miller, Three’s Company, and 21 Jump Street.

Horror fans might remember her as Pamela Voorhees in Freddy vs. Jason. But for Hallmark viewers, her journey really took off with Hitched For the Holidays in 2012.

She played Andie MacDowell’s on-screen mother in Cedar Cove, and soon became synonymous with wise, spirited grandmother roles. Hallmark just wouldn’t have been the same without her.

• Notable Hallmark performances: Coming Home for Christmas, Wedding of a Lifetime, Round and Round
• Fan-favorite role: Grandma Vivian in It Was Always You

Her bond with co-star Tyler Hynes went beyond the screen. They inspired a future project together, and honestly, Shaw’s presence was formative for those around her.

A Legend Remembered

Some performers just become part of television history. In 2025, Hallmark lost one such legend whose career spanned decades and genres.

Diane Ladd: A Matriarch On and Off Screen

Diane Ladd died on November 3 at 89. She left behind an extraordinary legacy.

A Golden Globe-winning actress and the mother of Laura Dern, Ladd was revered for her talent and her warmth. Hallmark fans loved her as Nell O’Brien on Chesapeake Shores, where she appeared throughout all six seasons from 2016 to 2022.

As the family matriarch, Ladd brought gravitas and emotional truth to every scene. Her co-stars described her as an icon and a guiding light on set.

Barbara Niven, who shared many scenes with Ladd, expressed profound grief. The loss felt deeply personal to those who worked alongside her.

Behind the Scenes, Forever Remembered

Actors often get the spotlight, but Hallmark productions rely on so many dedicated professionals behind the scenes. One of those became an irreplaceable part of a beloved series.

Nathaniel Nate Pelletier: The Heart of When Calls The Heart

On May 2, 2025, fans of When Calls The Heart learned of Nathaniel Nate Pelletier’s sudden passing. At just 53, Pelletier died on April 11, and his absence was felt throughout the production.

He worked in the transportation department, keeping the show’s iconic wagons and vehicles running. Pelletier even appeared on-screen as a taxi driver in several episodes.

• Role: Transportation department and on-screen appearances
• Survived by: His daughter Myhrsades Jones, parents, and brothers

Cast members described him as generous and deeply committed to his work-family. His loss was a tough reminder of how essential behind-the-scenes contributors are to the magic viewers see on screen.

Familiar Faces Beyond Hallmark

Some losses hit not just Hallmark fans, but television audiences everywhere. It’s a small world, really, when it comes to entertainment.

Drake Hogestyn: A Soap Icon with a Hallmark Heart

Drake Hogestyn, best known for his decades-long role on Days of Our Lives, passed away in late September at age 70 after battling pancreatic cancer.

Hallmark viewers remember him from the 2020 holiday film Christmas Tree Lane, where he played a loving father opposite Alicia Witt. His gentle presence and emotional sincerity just fit right into the Hallmark world.

Colleagues described Hogestyn as compassionate, a performer who brought heart to every role. It’s hard not to miss that kind of presence.

Losses That Touched the Hallmark Family Personally

Not every loss was someone who appeared on screen, but their impact within the Hallmark community was just as real.

Camilla Row: A Fighter, Advocate, and Beloved Wife

Camilla Row, wife of Hallmark star Brennan Elliott, died on March 22 after an eight-year battle with stage four gastric cancer. She never appeared in Hallmark films, but she was absolutely part of the network’s extended family.

A former psychologist, Row turned her diagnosis into a mission. She became a fierce advocate for gastric cancer awareness, pushing for more research funding and offering support to patients facing similar battles.

• Advocacy: Gastric cancer awareness and patient support
• Family: Husband Brennan Elliott, children Liam and Luna

Her resilience and compassion left a real mark on those who followed her story. It’s just hard to put into words what these losses mean, but the Hallmark family won’t forget.

A Year of Reflection and Gratitude

The losses of 2025 hit hard. It’s a tough reminder that the Hallmark Channel is shaped by real people, each with a life well beyond the screen.

Every person remembered here brought something special. Maybe it was an unforgettable performance, a relentless work ethic, or just a quiet strength that stood out during tough times.

For fans, these tributes feel like more than just mourning. There’s a sense of gratitude, too—for the stories that comforted us and the characters who almost felt like family.

It’s the people behind Hallmark who made it what it is now. Their legacies linger every time a favorite movie comes on, or when someone replays a series for the tenth time.