General Hospital’s Lisa LoCicero Offers a Glimpse of Leslie Charleson’s ‘Beautiful’ Memorial Service

“There will never be another like her,” began Lisa LoCicero’s Instagram post on February 23. The General Hospital leading lady had just come from a memorial service for Leslie Charleson, who had played Monica Quartermaine since 1977 and passed away at age 79 in January.

It was “a beautiful celebration for a beautiful soul, Olivia portrayer continued, “especially Wally Kurth bringing the music.” As you probably know, Kurth, Ned on General Hospital, is an accomplished musician and has a band, The Day Players, with his castmates from Days of Our Lives, where he is Justin. He worked closely with Charleson for decades; their characters even had a fling at one point (though that was back when Kurt McKinney was playing Ned).

In closing, LoCicero said simply, “Thank you for sharing your life with us, Leslie.”

A native of Kansas City, Mo., Charleson got her start in showbiz in 1964, when she landed a recurring role on A Flame in the Wind. Two years later, she was signed to a contract to play Don Hughes’ stepdaughter Alice Whipple on As the World Turns. When that gig ended, the up-and-comer moved on to Love Is a Many Splendored Thing, where she really got a chance to shine as good girl Iris Donnelly from 1967-70. (Kinda funny when you think about what a pot-stirrer Monica was!)

After leaving Love Is a Many Splendored Thing, Charleson added a slew of primetime credits to her resumé before joining General Hospital as a recast Monica. (Didn’t know she was a recast? This photo gallery may be full of surprises for you, then.) Before you go, check out the below photo album in which Charleson’s castmates share their memories of her.