As General Hospital prepares to say goodbye to the late Leslie Charleson, here are Monica’s most memorable moments over her nearly 50 years in Port Charles.
Her House
The biggest legacy Monica will leave behind in Port Charles is not her children or her work as a doctor but the Quartermaine Mansion. After all, Alan (the late Stuart Damon) gave it to her. After Alan purchased the mansion for her as a present for their 1978 wedding, the newlyweds were joined by Edward and Lila, followed by a slew of Quartermaines and company who have made the house a home for decades.
Breast Cancer Battle
The 90s were a big time for health crises around Port Charles. While Stone (ex-Michael Sutton) was succumbing to HIV, Monica was diagnosed with breast cancer. The 1994 storyline took viewers through the process of getting a mammogram, then followed Monica through her diagnosis, chemotherapy, the toll her illness took on her marriage, and remission.
Dreams For Jason
Monica and Jason (Steve Burton) always had a special relationship. She always made it known she loved him, no matter how many times he broke the law or killed people. But that didn’t mean she still didn’t wish he’d become a doctor like he had planned. And in 2011, she fantasized about what life would have been like had he become Dr. Jason Quartermaine, prodigal son to her and Alan, whose portrayer returned for the fantasy scenes.
AJ’s Secret
Despite the immense stress they all put her through – from alcoholism to joining the mob – Monica always showed up for her children. So much so that she helped fake AJ’s (ex-Sean Kanan) 2005 death in an attempt to keep him out of prison for shooting his father and kidnapping Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) children. AJ returned home in 2012 to console his mother as she grieved Jason (Steve Burton) after his first “death.” But the joy of having her son back didn’t last long. Eventually, Sonny shoots and kills AJ.
Final Scenes With Tracy
After only appearing off and on for five years due to suffering several falls, Charleson returned as Monica in December 2023 and reunited with Tracy (Jane Elliot) when they met to discuss Finn’s (ex-Michael Easton) malpractice lawsuit. Watching Monica and Tracy back at it again was a sweet sight for viewers, one that is now remembered as Charleson’s final appearance on GH.
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