Days of our Lives Recap, June 9, 2025: John's Loved Ones Gather to Pay Tribute

On Days of our Lives today, Monday, June 9, 2025, Steve makes a major decision, Cat has an odd encounter, Tate and Arianna get reacquainted, and Marlena tries to hold it together for her family and friends.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

At the DiMera mansion, Brady – in his funeral attire – arrived to pick up Rachel. Rachel showed him hair clips she would be wearing that her Grandpa John had given her. As Brady prepared to leave with Rachel, though, she hesitated and said, “I don’t wanna go.” Rachel claimed she didn’t “feel good,” and Brady asked if her stomach was hurting again. Rachel confided that she was “bad luck” and that it had been her fault about Grandpa John.

Rachel had dreamed her grandpa had died, and then it had happened. Brady reassured his daughter that John had likely wanted to visit Rachel one more time, so that's why he had appeared to her in her dream. Rachel couldn’t believe she’d never see Grandpa John again. Brady promised her John would always be with Rachel in her heart. He eventually convinced his daughter to go with him so they could give Grandpa John “a proper goodbye.”

In Horton Town Square, a nervous Eric met up with Carrie, Belle, and Paul. Eric was worried he would be “rusty” at officiating John’s service. His family assured him they wouldn’t want anyone else performing the ceremony. Belle offered everyone tissues and mints and mused that her dad would be the one providing a helping hand if he was there. The kids toasted to John.

Across the square, Arianna expressed reticence to Tate about attending her first funeral. Tate pledged he and “the rest of the family” would be there for her. Arianna admitted things had been tough with her parents after she’d snuck out and “had some fun” with a nameless guy. Tate cautioned Arianna not to end up like him, “with a baby on the way.”

At the Brady Pub, Kayla joined Steve for breakfast. They discussed how the news about John was being kept from Bo so that Bo wouldn’t suffer a setback. When Kayla asked about Steve packing up John’s work things, Steve stunned his wife by announcing that he was shutting down Black Patch. It could never be the same without John. While Kayla was happy that Steve wouldn’t be in danger, she wondered if retirement would make him “stir-crazy.”

Steve joked that he’d find ways to keep himself busy, from playing his harp in the park to engaging in his and Kayla’s favorite “extracurricular activity.” Kayla called him “incorrigible” but seemed to accept his decision, and the couple sealed it with a kiss. When Kayla suggested they leave for John’s funeral service, Steve confessed he didn’t know how he would react around Marlena. Kayla assured Steve that Marlena didn’t blame him and that she was grateful for what he had done for Bo.

Roman approached and backed up Kayla’s assertion. He mentioned that Kate was at the hospital with Philip, but did intend to attend the service. Kate and anyone else who had known John wanted to honor him.

Outside the church, Marlena somberly looked at the flowers and the photographs that had been collected for John’s memorial. Shane approached and embraced Marlena. Shane spoke of the tremendous loss the ISA had suffered in losing John, but it was “nothing” compared to how Shane himself felt losing such a valued friend. Marlena thanked Shane for coming and also thanked him for giving her the opportunity to say goodbye to John. Andrew joined his father and gave his condolences to Marlena.

Soon thereafter, Paul, Belle, Carrie, and Eric arrived. Shane greeted Paul as his future son-in-law, and Paul gave him and Marlena a hug. When Marlena inquired about Brady’s whereabouts, Belle expressed surprise that he hadn’t come with Rachel yet.

Later, when Steve arrived at the service, he awkwardly approached Marlena, who thanked him for bringing John’s mementos. Steve grew emotional and proclaimed it was the least he could do. Stifling a sob, he told Marlena he was sorry. She immediately compelled him to stop blaming himself. No one would have been able to stop John from saving “his brother.” An overwhelmed Steve accepted Marlena’s comforting embrace.

Paul and Eric stepped aside to look at the memory book for guests. Paul marveled at how many people – including strangers to John – had already stopped by to pay their respects. Andrew joined his fiancé and Eric to gush about John’s spy adventures. Andrew assured the brothers that even though John’s ISA files were classified, John was every bit the “badass” they had imagined. Paul considered himself lucky to have had John as his father and called John the best gift of his life.

Meanwhile, a troubled Rachel gazed at John’s picture. She was caught off-guard by Johnny and Chanel’s approach and hurried away. Johnny remarked how oddly Rachel had been acting around him lately. Chanel attributed it to the girl’s grief over John.

Later, Chanel and Johnny commiserated with Abe and Paulina. Chanel sympathized with how hard the day must be for Abe, given Abe and John’s long-standing friendship. Abe got choked up. He was fortunate to have called John a friend.

A pensive Cat also arrived at the service. When she passed by Shane, she acknowledged him as “Director.” He looked after her, seemingly puzzled.

Shane later convened with Steve and Kayla at the memorial entrance. He updated the couple on Kimberly: she was doing better, and he was sorry that she couldn’t attend the funeral. Shane was surprised that Bo hadn’t been told about John yet, but ultimately understood it was for the best.

In another area, Julie and Paulina took a moment to check in with each other. After raving over pictures of their grandchildren, Jules and Carver, Paulina asked how Julie was doing, given it was her first funeral since Doug’s passing. Julie agreed it was challenging, but she knew that Doug would want her to be there for Marlena the same way Marlena had been present for her.

When Julie caught sight of Cat, her sorrow quickly turned to anger. She confronted Cat about Cat’s “date” with Chad and sniped that it was a good thing Jack and Jennifer had already departed the memorial.

After Arianna and Tate arrived. Arianna was taken aback to see the urn with John’s ashes in it. She’d brought some candy John had often given her and had intended to slip it into John’s coffin. Brady came up to the teens and greeted his son. He explained that Rachel was having a rough time and that Kristen had decided not to come because she believed her presence would upset Marlena.

Brady made his way to Marlena and gave her a big hug. They later discovered Rachel fumbling with John’s Mickey Mantle baseball card. Rachel fondly reminisced about a time when John had taken her to an opening day game with the Chicago Cubs. Later, Rachel was introduced to Arianna by Tate. Rachel assumed Arianna was Tate’s new girlfriend, but Tate corrected that Arianna and he were family.

Tate headed over to look at John’s mementos, and he chatted briefly with Julie. Talk of family heirlooms prompted Julie to thank Tate for revealing the truth about Doug to her. Tate apologized and said it wasn’t his place, but Julie was insistent that she had appreciated the honesty.

Marlena continued greeting guests and received more condolences from Abe, Paulina, and Cat. She told Cat that she would be back at work in a few days because she needed to keep herself busy.

Meanwhile, Belle and Carrie commented on the flowers people had sent. Belle snarked that the “hideous” arrangement had come from Vivian. A much nicer arrangement had arrived from John’s dad, Timothy, whom Belle deemed one of the most charming men she’d ever met. Unfortunately, Timothy wouldn’t be able to attend the service because he’d had hip surgery. When Carrie and Belle spied the arrangement sent from Sami and Sydney, both admitted they hadn’t heard from Sami.

Belle conceded she was relieved that Sami wouldn’t be there because of the awkwardness with EJ. Carrie didn’t believe Sami had the right to be angry with Belle over EJ. After all, Sami had spent the better part of her youth chasing after Carrie’s husband, Austin. “At least now she knows how it was for me,” Carrie reasoned.

Belle pondered if Carrie was implying that she would end up as the “Sami” in the EJ situation, as in alone. Carrie challenged Belle on if her feelings for EJ were really that deep. Belle admitted she was unsure, especially since she knew how much her dad would have hated the relationship. Brady overheard and concurred with Belle’s belief.

In a private corner of the church garden, Roman found a ruminating Eric, who had been praying for the strength to make it through the service. John had always been there for Eric and was for a time “the only father” he had known. Eric apologized for the remark, but Roman completely understood John’s special place in his children’s lives and in their hearts. Moreover, John would be “so damn proud and so grateful to have you standing up for him today. Just as I am,” Roman affirmed. Roman comforted his son as Eric teared up.

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