Fan of 40 years says 'goodbye' to Erica Kane

LOVELAND, Ohio - The familiar song comes over her TV for the last time. Jill Estes watches with anticipation.

Every day at 1 p.m. for 40 years, the 53-year-old divorcee is taken away to a place called Pine Valley.

But Friday was her last day for the journey that she's taken since she was 13 years old. You could argue she’s “All My Children’s” fan.

"It's kind of like, it's been a part of my life for so long. It's like losing a family member,” said Estes with tears welling up in her eyes.

With tissues in hand, she took a seat in her favorite chair. Tears surface before the last episode of her favorite show begins.

“All My Children” aired its final episode Friday after 41 years of crying, laughing and of course... Erica Kane.

"Please don't walk out on me Jack. I need you," said Kane to her beau Jackson Montgomery in the final moments of the last episode.

After a long, dramatic pause, he replied, "Frankly Erica, I don't give a damn what you need."

But it's more than just a show for Estes. Its characters have gotten her through tough times in her life.

Estes is a six-year breast cancer survivor—and “All My Children” was there with her every step of the way.

"Just kind of gives you some inspiration for what they're going through and for myself and what I was going through at the time. It helped.”

She watched it every day… looking forward to that hour every day during chemotherapy.

After her own struggles and years of devotion, she never thought she'd have to say goodbye in her lifetime.

But she's optimistic that this isn't the end.

"I'm not so sure that this show is actually over. I think it will continue somehow and in some way."

But for now, the continuing saga has come to an end... with one question lingering: Who did J.R. shoot?

Tell us what you think. Head over to our Facebook page and talk with other fans about your theory of the ending.