“General Hospital” Stages a Remarkable Funeral for Monica Quartermaine

The late Leslie Charleson played Monica Quartermaine

Every once in a while, a daytime soap stages an event or storyline so memorable it moves its fans to tears. “General Hospital” accomplished this welcome feat with recent gripping episodes portraying the funeral of a much beloved long-term character, Dr. Monica Quartermaine, played by Leslie Charleson who passed away earlier this year at 79. These episodes were beautifully produced and written and featured amazing performances.

As you know, Monica was the chief of staff at General Hospital and loving wife of the late Alan Quartermaine, as played just as lovingly by the much-missed Stuart Damon. As a token of love, Alan had given Monica the deed of ownership of the Quartermaine mansion when his wealthy parents Edward and Lila Quartermaine passed away. Alan and Monica’s marriage had its speed bumps: Alan took Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) as a mistress and Monica slept with another Quartermaine, Ned as played by Wally Kurth. But true love triumphed again and again. And that is, after all, what we soap opera fans just love to see.

Memories of this enduring romance made the classy funeral episodes all the more poignant and evocative for longtime “GH” fans. We saw old flashbacks of Monica’s life from the “GH” archives. These included Monica cuddling her adopted son Jason (Steve Burton) and a classic fight between Alan and Monica.   Soap viewers like you and me love seeing and being reminded of soap history. Characters like these are with us so long, they become part of our lives. Kudos to the show’s official historian is Eliazbeth Korte, who co-writes the show with Chris von Etten. She’s been working for “GH” for thirty years.

Other performances in these episodes were first rate as well. Steve Burton’s Jason Quartermaine has been nicknamed “The Borg” and “Stone Cold” because his character is often so emotionless. Not here! The actor did a remarkable job of tearfully showing Jason’s sorrowful goodbye to Monica, the adoptive mother he loved so dearly. As Monica’s sister-in-law Tracy, who both loved and sparred continuously with Monica, Jane Elliot was just as triumphant in these episodes. We expect nothing less from such an incomparable veteran soap actress. What a treasure she has always been! Deservedly, she’s being awarded the Silver Circle Award at the upcoming Daytime Emmys.

All the funeral attendees spoke well of Monica, especially town mayor Laura Collins (Genie Francis). Even Alan’s one-time mistress Lucy Coe (the delightful Lynn Herring) had interesting words to say. Also attending the service to the end was evil Drew (Cameron Mathison) who claimed he had a right to be at the service because Monica was his mother. Tracy threw Drew out of the funeral service. At the end of the service ”GH” spotlighted the memorial wall at General Hospital, which contains memorials to other departed hospital employees.

After the funeral, Tracy wandered down to the infamous Quartermaine family crypt. In one of the biggest surprises in soap history, Tracy met the eye of a yet unnamed character who had come to mourn Monica. Oh my God, exclaimed “GH” watchers! Playing the mourner, Veronica Bard, was none other than soap superstar Erika Slezak, beginning a guest run. We know well her unforgettable portrayal of Victoria Lord Riley Buchanan for decades on fellow ABC soap “One Life to Live.” Marlena screamed loudly with pure delight. As an “OLTL” fan since its 1968 premiere, I have always loved Slezak and was privileged to interview her many times.

What more can you ask of a soap opera in our challenging TV times? Here was old school great writing, superb acting and a surprise ending worthy of the late Irna Phillips. Marlena says a sincere thank you to ABC and everyone at “General Hospital.”  May soaps live forever.