We wanted Monica’s passing to kick off a new story.” Nine months after Leslie Charleson’s death, #GeneralHospital is saying goodbye to Monica Quartermaine onscreen.

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It’s been a long time in coming, but it looks like General Hospital is finally about to say goodbye to Monica. That’s not to say we’ve been looking forward to this, but the legendary Leslie Charleson passed away over nine months ago on January 12, so we’ve known it was, sadly, inevitable.

According to spoilers, Jason’s delivering somber news on Wednesday, September 17th and we’re betting it’s about Monica’s passing. Co-headwriters Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten shared with TV Insider that her farewell was happening this month, after months of illness offscreen.

And, they made clear, “When bidding farewell to her and to Monica, there could be no half-measures.” In other words, they’re doing more than just a funeral and memorial. “We wanted Monica’s passing to kick off a new story,” the co-headwriters continued, to create new connections on the canvas; to test her loved ones; and to grow their relationships. This way, Monica may be gone — but her legacy will be felt long into the future.”

GENERAL HOSPITAL, Leslie Charleson, Stuart Damon, (1992), monica alan –

That’s not only amazing, but it does fit a bit with an idea we’ve had in our minds ever since we learned legendary One Life to Live alum Erika Slezak is joining General Hospital for a short-term arc. And she is not playing Viki!

That left us siding with a whole lot of fans in thinking that there’s a decent chance she could be playing a long-lost sister of Monica’s. That, in turn, could open up a whole new family tied to the Quartermaines — indirectly, of course! Monica was a Quartermaine by marriage, having grown up in an orphanage before coming to Port Charles married to Jeff Webber and, eventually marrying her late husband Alan.

That leaves an entire family history virtually unexplored, and Monica’s farewell could be just the time to delve in and ensure her legacy carries on even beyond the Quartermaines. Regardless of how this story goes down, one thing we do know is that we’ll need a steady supply of tissues handy. It’s sure to be one big rollercoaster of emotions!