Katherine Chancellor's memorial to air in September

A date has now been set for Genoa City's farewell to Katherine Chancellor. A memorial service will be held in September. Emmy-winning actress Jeanne Cooper passed away in May at the age of 84.

It has been nearly three months since Emmy winner Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor), and some fans have questioned if and when The Young and the Restless will address the actress' passing in the show's storylines. Due to the show's production schedule, The Young and the Restless was unable to immediately address the actress' death on the show; The show's storylines are written several months in advance, and scenes are taped at least a month before they air on television. Now that "real time" and the production schedule have caught up, the top-rated CBS soap is ready to tackle the difficult task of the icon's death.Katherine's death will be addressed on-screen next month, with a memorial service to follow in September. However, on May 28, CBS took the unprecedented step of airing a special stand-alone episode to honor the life of Cooper. At the time, Y&R's executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps, explained the show's plans for Katherine, and challenged a rumor that made its rounds on the Internet. In an interview at the time with TV Guide's Michael Logan, Phelps dispelled an Internet rumor that the show was planning to recast the role of Katherine."We decided, for the sake of the audience and the characters, that it was important to have closure with Kay," Phelps tells TV Guide. "And, contrary to rumors, we never gave a thought to recasting the role -- not for a minute! Y&R was forced to do it when Jeanne was out ill for a bit a couple of years ago, when she was replaced by Michael Learned. But that was a temporary situation. You cannot replace the irreplaceable. The greatest way to honor Jeanne is to make Kay's exit as dramatic and meaningful as possible." Soap Opera Uncensored reports that the event will take place over two days, September 3 and 4. Jeanne Cooper originated the role of Katherine Chancellor in 1973. During her 40-year tenure with The Young and the Restless, Cooper earned two Daytime Emmys. In 2004, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. Four years later, the underdog Cooper won the Outstanding Lead Actress trophy. Cooper passed away on May 8, 2013, at the age of 84. For more on the life and death of Jeanne Cooper, please read our extended coverage, including reaction from the world of daytime.

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