Leslie Charleson, the soap-opera legend who played Monica Quartermaine on 'General Hospital' starting in the 1970s, died Sunday. She was 79.

Ms. Charleson played Dr. Monica Quartermaine, a cardiologist and family matriarch, on the daytime series for 46 years.

Colleagues are remembering the soap opera star for her "quick wit" and presence on set. She died after a long illness.

The General Hospital cast and crew have been dealt several losses over the last few years. Over the weekend, Leslie Charleson became the latest in a string of deaths that have plagued the show. She was the longest-running cast member on the ABC soap,