2. Irene Roberts - 329 pointsNO CHANGE
Irene used to be a violent alcoholic, but after several years in the bay, and helping countless troubled teens, she's become one of the more sobering influences around town. She's still got a fire in her belly, but now it's fueled by the passionate love she has for her "kids," and aimed squarely at anyone who tries to hurt them. She takes people into her home like others might take in stray animals. (In the case of Kirsty and Kane, some might say she did exactly that). At the height of residential awesomeness, she once had Robbie, Tash and Kim living under her roof all at the same time. Then she traded Robbie and Tash for Corey Henderson, and wackiness ensued. Corey slowly poisoned Irene with mercury crystals to punish her for putting his father behind bars - a jury decision that lead to his father's suicide - and he intended to kill her, just as he'd killed other members of the jury. By that time, Irene had been driven so insane (played so convincingly by Lynne McGranger) that no one believed her when she told them that Corey was after her. Fortunately Jack was able to contact Barry and convince him of the truth just in the nick of time to save her. It might have been that Irene and Barry could have been together forever after that, but it was not to be. In a move that broke Irene's heart, Barry killed Josh West, albeit in self defence, and moved away to the city to await trial for the murder. Irene has spent her days shuffling coffee cups around in the Diner ever since.