GENERAL HOSPITAL Says Goodbye to a “Beloved” Friend
It takes a village to create a television show — it’s not just the work of those you see on the screen. The collaborative effort involves plenty of folks who work behind the scenes as well. So when one of those backstage magicians recently retired from GENERAL HOSPITAL, the cast and crew truly felt like they were losing a member of their family.
The colleague who parted ways with Port Charles was Maki Chaudhuri, a 40-year veteran of GH’s wardrobe department who was a workroom supervisor and costume maker at the time of her retirement. “Heartbreaking to say goodbye to our beloved Maki,” executive producer Frank Valentini shared on Twitter. “She has been a seamstress on GH for over 35 years. She will be sorely missed. Maki, best wishes on your next adventure in retirement. All my love, Frank.”
Before she left the GH studio for the last time, Chaudhuri was the guest of honor at a retirement party thrown in her honor on the soap’s set — complete with a beautiful four-piece cake that spelled out her first name, adorned with gold and white flowers and macaroons. “To say she will be missed is an understatement,” said a post on the soap’s Instagram page.
Many of GH’s on-screen stars joined Valentini in sending Chaudhuri off with wishes to enjoy her new life of seven-day weekends. “Thank you, Maki! Love, light, and magic to you always,” wrote Lydia Look (Selina), while Risa Dorken (Amy) wished the seamstress “health and happiness” in the next chapter of her life. And Holly Gagnier (ex-Jennifer Smith) added several kissy-face emojis and multiple exclamation marks to her “Happy retirement!” message.
“Maki, We will miss you, your talent, expertise, and creativity,” declared Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie). “Thank you for all the beautiful wardrobe you have given Bobbie and me all these years. Wishing you much happiness, joy, and laughter on your new and exciting adventure.”
Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), meanwhile, thanked Chaudhuri for keeping the cast of GH looking sharp over the years. “Congrats on an amazing 40 years, Maki!” he wrote. “So grateful for your expertise over the years!”
Chaudhuri’s talent with a needle and thread was also noted by Parry Shen (Brad). “Happy retirement, Maki! It was a joy watching you work,” he wrote. “You’d just look once at me wearing my off-the-rack suit and then start pinning and hemming and then the next day, voila — custom suit!”
We wish Chaudhuri all the best in the next phase of her life!
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