Before airing the September 25 episode of General Hospital, which features the start of the emotional memorial service for Monica Quartermaine, the soap released a special video paying tribute to the character and her beloved portrayer, Leslie Charleson, who passed away on January 12, 2025, at the age of 79. It’s chock-full of classic clips and interviews with the castmates who knew her well. “The way that we should all remember Leslie,” said Finola Hughes (Anna), “is that she was an awful lot of fun.”

Farewell to a Friend

The video also includes footage from the soap’s 62nd anniversary episode, which aired on April 1, 2025, where hospital staff, friends, and relatives gathered for the dedication of the Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Care Center. “I love that they’re doing the heart wing for her, you know?” shared Kristina Wagner (Felicia). “Because they gave Bobbie the diner. And so it’s really sweet that that’s… they made that her legacy.”

Charleson was involved in countless storylines over the course of her decades-long run on GH that began back in 1977, but one, in particular, stood out for Wally Kurth (Ned). “She wasn’t always given the real dramatic stuff,” he recalled, “but the breast cancer storyline, in particular, was really moving.” After a quick clip of Monica opening up to Gail during that powerful tale, he continued, “She was a wonderful actress and just a great colleague. And she was also amazing with her fans.”

As Hughes mentioned, Charleson was well-known for her sense of humor. “She was, like me, very irreverent,” John J. York (Mac) shared. “So things that we shared on stage, I cannot share with you here today. But that was what was great about her.”

The video ends with some clips from the September 25 episode previewing some moments from Monica’s funeral, including Laura speaking to the gathered mourners, before her portrayer, Genie Francis, cemented Monica’s — and Charleson’s — place in GH history. “She is like a Dr. Hardy or a Jessie Brewer,” the daytime vet declared, referring to Dr. Steve Hardy, played by the late John Beradino, and the nurse played by the late Emily McLaughlin, both original members of the GH cast. “These people are General Hospital. They made General Hospital.”

You can watch the video for yourself in full below, then tune in later today to watch Port Charles say farewell to Monica Quartermaine.