Mary Mae Ward (Rosalind Cash)

Mary Mae Ward (née Powers ) was a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She was the mother of Bradley Ward II, and the former mistress of Edward Quartermaine. The role was originated by Rosalind Cash in 1994. =Character History= Mary Mae lost her husband due to war at the age of 18. Her late husband, Bradley Ward had already left with one son to raise, David. She was making a living for herself and her son as a blues singer in Virgnina. While working one night, she met a navy man, Edward Quartermaine. They both related to one another but the music drew them together most. They had a brief affair until Edward was shipped oversees but they kept in touch through letters. Mary Mae wrote him a letter and told him that she was pregnant and that she would raise it on her own. She named the child Bradley, after her later husband. Mary Mae later relocated to Port Charles with her family not knowing that Edward lived in Long Island, New York. She didn't see him again until July 1st, 1974 when she visited him at his apartment in Port Charles. When her son came home looking shaken up, she new what she had to do to save his life. She told Edward who she was and that their son was in danger because Jack Boland, one of Edward's business partners was working with mob boss, Frank Smith. Bradley had been causing trouble for the criminals. Edward did all he could to keep Bradley safe but Jack Boland went and murdered that very same night. Jack left the scene and the gun in Bradley hand leading Mary Mae to believed he'd commited suicide. She buried his body in the backyard of their home at 24 Royal Street in Port Charles. Mary Mae made Edward promise that the investigation into Bradley's death wouldn't destroy everything he'd worked so hard for. Edward used his money and influence to stop the investigation which led to the rumor that he had murdered Bradley. In 1994, when Edward was put on trial Mary Mae revealed that he couldn't have killed his son, Bradley. Mary Mae found herself singing the blues again when Lois Cerullo offered her a job at her record label, L&B. Mary Mae was a hit at Luke's club where everyone would go to listen to her beautiful voice. Mary Mae was adored by many in Port Charles. When she died in her sleep in January 1996, the whole town turned out to pay their respects to their beloved Mary Mae.

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