The End of an Era: Here’s How Monica’s Death Will Affect GH’s Legacy

General Hospital announced Monica Quartermaine’s death following Leslie Charleson’s passing earlier this year. It’s been a long time coming, though.

The preview for this week’s episodes highlighted Jason calling to report a death; the coming days will be filled with news of the matriarch’s passing. Port Charles and GH will never be the same.

Monica Quartermaine Was GH’s Longest-Running Character

Plenty of characters on GH have come and gone over the years. However, she was all in once Leslie Charleson stepped into the role of Monica Quartermaine. Even when her contract status changed, she remained an essential part of the canvas for nearly 50 years.

At the time of her passing, Charleson had been the longest-running character in Port Charles. She debuted in 1977, and her last on-screen appearance was in December 2023, when she appeared briefly.

However, the GH writers have kept her name in the dialogue, revealing her ailing health and her place upstairs in the mansion.

Monica kept the peace among the Quartermaines. She loved her children and tolerated her husband, Alan (Stuart Damon), and his sister, Tracy (Jane Elliot). Everyone knew the Quartermaine mansion was Monica’s because “Alan gave it to her.”

Monica’s Death Will Affect Legacy

On a soap built on legacy families, Monica Quartermaine’s death is significant for GH. She became the matriarch of the Quartermaines when Lila (Anna Lee) died in 2004.

From there, she continued regulating what happened under her roof. She fought breast cancer, dealt with an unimaginable amount of loss, and more.

With Monica gone, Tracy is the only one left to fulfill the matriarchal duties. There are several offshoot Quartermaine members, but they don’t hold the same weight as Monica.

Jason (Steve Burton) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) are still around, and there are Ned (Wally Kurth), Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton), and Michael (Rory Gibson).

The Quartermaines, as viewers know them, are gone, and the new version without Monica will be different. The legacy characters are becoming a thing of the past, with a new generation heading GH.

Monica’s Send-Off Should Include These Things

While it’s unclear what the GH writers are doing to give Monica a proper send-off, a few things should be included when remembering her.

One of the most important should be the family gathering in the Quartermaine living room and calling in several pizzas to recreate the numerous ruined Thanksgiving holidays that ended with pizza instead of turkey.

Several characters should be present, too. Dillon should return to Port Charles to mourn his aunt. While Scott Clifton won’t be in the role, it could be Robert Palmer Watkins.

However, aside from Erika Slezak, casting announcements regarding Monica’s death have not been revealed.

A gathering at the hospital would also be appropriate. After all, Monica was the chief of staff there. She was also a brilliant cardiac surgeon, serving as the chief of cardiology for years. We suspect a wall plaque will be added to the set, just like for Bobbie (Jacklyn Zeman).

Monica and Charleson were some of the best parts of GH, and they will be missed on and off-screen.