LOS ANGELES, CA — Even Gwen Stefani misses hearing Karen Sharp spin sentimental ballads on KOST 103.5. Sharp, a veteran radio DJ, aired her last “Love Songs On The KOST” show on Oct. 10.

Sharp had been with Los Angeles-based KOST since 1987, hosting the Sunday through Friday night Love Songs dedication slot for most of her tenure. The format harkened back to a bygone era — people calling into the station to dedicate songs, which connected listeners with personal stories of love and heartbreak.

Hours before her last airing, Sharp took to social media, urging her Facebook fans and friends to call in or write in their last dedications. “It’s My Final Lovesongs Show Tonight!” she wrote. “Celebrate 38 Years with Me.”

Hundreds commented on Sharp’s departure via the online platform. Many messages were lengthy outpourings, with Sharp responding to a significant number.

“You’ve been on the air for 38 years and I’ll be 40 in November,” one person wrote. “I’ve literally been listening to you my entire life and love you so much.”

Another person shared, “I’ve been listening from the beginning. In 7th grade my friend would always do dedications to boys. We would listen all the time. Now my kids that are adults listened. Gonna be missed by generations.”

Even songstress Gwen Stefani tuned in over the years to Sharp’s Love Songs. “I’ve cried with her. She didn’t know,” Stefani confessed during one of her multiple appearances at the station. “I was crying in my car. After all the breakups.”

During Sharp’s last broadcast, she was joined on air by several radio colleagues, one calling her a Los Angeles “institution.”

“I will miss you so much,” he said.

In that final show, Sharp told listeners and co-workers, “Thanks for sharing the love with me tonight.”

KOST is an iHeart station, and Sharp’s departure came at the end of the same week of layoffs that affected iHeart stations nationwide, including lost positions locally at KFI (640 AM), KRRL (92.3 FM) and KOST.

Replacing Sharp in the evening timeslot is Paul Kelley, who is being syndicated from his home base in Arizona.