HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES — “General Hospital” fans got their first look at the often feisty Dr. Monica Quartermaine back in 1977, but now, the show is saying goodbye to the classic character.

The actress who played Monica, Leslie Charleson, passed away earlier this year. Thursday afternoon’s episode was the first of a two-part farewell to her character.

The people of Port Charles and the fans of “General Hospital” are together mourning the passing of Dr. Monica Quartermaine.

“It’s an actor that died and a character that died, so the duality of it, the depth of it, is painful and difficult to deal with,” said Jane Elliot, who plays Tracy Quartermaine on the show. “To finally let go of the character is — it’s heart-wrenching.”

Steve Burton plays Jason Morgan on the show, and says saying goodbye to his TV mom and his longtime friend has been painful.

“I loved her so much. It’s just hard, man. It’s tough,” said Burton. “She was a staple of our show. She was a powerhouse, and we should honor her this way, for sure. She’s amazing.”

When she was around, the cast says Charleson brought the fun with her.

“She just kept everyone laughing, and she mostly made fun of herself, you know?” said Genie Francis, who plays Laura Collins. “But, I mean, that was the best part of her, really.”

“She had a wicked sense of humor, and she had an exquisite laugh,” Elliot said. “And we didn’t get to see enough of it on television, but I sure got a lot of it in real life.”

In real life, friends said goodbye to Charleson at a celebration of her life earlier this year. Cast member Wally Kurth was the emcee.

“And I just get to once more express to her how much I love her and how grateful I am that she was in my life,” said Kurth, who plays Ned Ashton on the show.

The goodbye to Dr. Monica Quartermaine continues in Friday afternoon’s episode of “General Hospital” on ABC.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ABC and this ABC station.