Meredith Lord
Encyclopedia
Meredith "Merrie" Lord Wolek is an original character on the American
soap opera
, One Life to Live
. The role was originated by Trish Van Devere
from the debut episode through 1969. Merrie was most notably portrayed by Lynn Benesch
, who assumed the role from 1969 until the character's on-screen death in 1973, briefly reappearing in 1987.
. An assertive free spirit, Merrie defies her father by dating upwardly-mobile Dr. Larry Wolek
, a suitor which was not to Victor's liking. In the opening months of the serial, Victor pushed Meredith into an engagement with the more socially-acceptable Dr. Ted Hale. Meredith disavows her father's choice of wealthy Dr. Hale, the latter who accidentally falls down a flight of stairs while at Llanview Hospital in the company of Larry. Fellow Llanview Hospital nurse Karen Martin overheard Larry and Ted arguing over Meredith on the other side of the closed stairwell door, and Larry threatening Ted. Nurse Martin implicates Larry, leading to Larry's arrest for Dr. Hale's apparent murder.
Larry stood trial and was nearly convicted, but was revealed to have threatened Ted to keep Meredith's terminal blood disease secret. Larry was released from police custody and hoped to spend with Meredith whatever time she had left. Learning of her condition and wanting to spare Larry the pain of watching her die, Meredith ran away to San Francisco and left him a letter telling him a "Dear John" letter
telling him that she didn't love him any longer. Depressed, Merrie's ex-boyfriend Dr. Wolek confides in his former accuser, Karen Martin.
) from a fire that left him badly burned and bandaged for weeks; when he recovered, he gave in to her romantic advances and consummated their relationship. Meredith returned from California
just a few months after, with her condition miraculously improved. Dr. Wolek, upon seeing Merrie again, hoped for a reconciliation. The two eventually admit to their mutual love for one another, much to Victor's chagrin. Days later, however, Karen revealed to Larry that she was pregnant with his love child
. A heartbroken Larry married Karen to prevent her from having an illegal abortion. A heartbroken Merrie meets an amnesia
c whom she calls Tom Edwards, and Victor invites Meredith to take him in at Llanfair. Falling for Tom, who's identity is uncovered to be Bruce McKenzie, the two are engaged with Victor's approval.
Karen Martin miscarried Larry's child in 1970, leading she and the doctor to separated. Larry soon resumes his courtship of Meredith, who by then was engaged to be married to Bruce. Bruce, whom Merrie continues to call "Tom", relents to Meredith's desire to be with Dr. Wolek, ending their brief engagement. Merrie and Larry soon wed in a June wedding on the terrace of Llanfair, with Viki as the maid of honor to Merrie and a begrudging Victor overseeing the ceremony.
Settling into marriage, the husband and wife determine they wanted to conceive a child, much to the chagrin of Larry, who weary that Meredith's illness would return from remission. Merrie soon convinces Larry, and in 1971 after months of bed rest
, Meredith gives birth two children, a son named Daniel and a stillborn
daughter. Falling into post-partum depression at the loss of her daughter, the housewife became deeply depressed, and Dr. Wolek calls in a favor to Dr. Joyce Brothers
to help with his wife's grief.
In 1973, thieves broke into Llanfair seeking the valuable art collection of Victor, taking Merrie and her brother-in-law Vinny hostage. After days of broken-down crisis negotiations, Vinny and Meredith attempt to escape from the garage where they were held, and a clumsy Meredith falls and hits her head when one of the gunmen shoved her. Merrie suffers massive brain trauma, and before succumbing to her injuries tells Viki (Slezak
) to tell Larry how happy he had made her. Meredith briefly returns in a scene when Viki has a near-death experience and appears in Heaven in 1987.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
. The role was originated by Trish Van Devere
Trish Van Devere
Trish Van Devere is an American actress.-Early life:Van Devere was born as Patricia Louise Dressel in Tenafly, New Jersey. She was married to the actor George C...
from the debut episode through 1969. Merrie was most notably portrayed by Lynn Benesch
Lynn Benesch
Lynn Benesch is an American actress and singer, aka Lynn Chester; best known for her role as Meredith Lord Wolek on the daytime drama One Life to Live from 1969 to 1973...
, who assumed the role from 1969 until the character's on-screen death in 1973, briefly reappearing in 1987.
Enter Merrie
The presumed daughter of newspaper tycoon Victor Lord and his wife Eugenia, Merrie is introduced in 1968 as the sister of heroine VictoriaVictoria Lord
Victoria "Viki" Lord is the principal fictional character and matriarch of the Lord family on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live...
. An assertive free spirit, Merrie defies her father by dating upwardly-mobile Dr. Larry Wolek
Larry Wolek
Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Wolek is a fictional character on the American soap opera, One Life to Live. The role was originated on the debut episode July 15, 1968, and most notably portrayed by actor Michael Storm who played the role nearly continuously from January 4, 1969 through 2004.-Enter Larry:The...
, a suitor which was not to Victor's liking. In the opening months of the serial, Victor pushed Meredith into an engagement with the more socially-acceptable Dr. Ted Hale. Meredith disavows her father's choice of wealthy Dr. Hale, the latter who accidentally falls down a flight of stairs while at Llanview Hospital in the company of Larry. Fellow Llanview Hospital nurse Karen Martin overheard Larry and Ted arguing over Meredith on the other side of the closed stairwell door, and Larry threatening Ted. Nurse Martin implicates Larry, leading to Larry's arrest for Dr. Hale's apparent murder.
Larry stood trial and was nearly convicted, but was revealed to have threatened Ted to keep Meredith's terminal blood disease secret. Larry was released from police custody and hoped to spend with Meredith whatever time she had left. Learning of her condition and wanting to spare Larry the pain of watching her die, Meredith ran away to San Francisco and left him a letter telling him a "Dear John" letter
Dear John letter
A "Dear John letter" is a letter written to a husband or boyfriend by his wife or girlfriend to inform him their relationship is over, usually because the author has found another lover. Dear John Letters are often written out of an inability or unwillingness to inform the person face to face...
telling him that she didn't love him any longer. Depressed, Merrie's ex-boyfriend Dr. Wolek confides in his former accuser, Karen Martin.
Larry
In 1969, Karen saved Larry (Michael StormMichael Storm
Michael Storm is an American actor.Storm has appeared on many television shows, but is recognized by many for his recurring role as the third Dr. Larry Wolek on the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live. He has played this role on-and-off since 1969, last appearing in May 2004, Storm still remains on...
) from a fire that left him badly burned and bandaged for weeks; when he recovered, he gave in to her romantic advances and consummated their relationship. Meredith returned from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
just a few months after, with her condition miraculously improved. Dr. Wolek, upon seeing Merrie again, hoped for a reconciliation. The two eventually admit to their mutual love for one another, much to Victor's chagrin. Days later, however, Karen revealed to Larry that she was pregnant with his love child
Love child
"Love child" is a euphemism for a child born out of wedlock. See Legitimacy .Love child may also refer to:In music:* Lovechild , an indie rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland...
. A heartbroken Larry married Karen to prevent her from having an illegal abortion. A heartbroken Merrie meets an amnesia
Amnesia
Amnesia is a condition in which one's memory is lost. The causes of amnesia have traditionally been divided into categories. Memory appears to be stored in several parts of the limbic system of the brain, and any condition that interferes with the function of this system can cause amnesia...
c whom she calls Tom Edwards, and Victor invites Meredith to take him in at Llanfair. Falling for Tom, who's identity is uncovered to be Bruce McKenzie, the two are engaged with Victor's approval.
Karen Martin miscarried Larry's child in 1970, leading she and the doctor to separated. Larry soon resumes his courtship of Meredith, who by then was engaged to be married to Bruce. Bruce, whom Merrie continues to call "Tom", relents to Meredith's desire to be with Dr. Wolek, ending their brief engagement. Merrie and Larry soon wed in a June wedding on the terrace of Llanfair, with Viki as the maid of honor to Merrie and a begrudging Victor overseeing the ceremony.
Settling into marriage, the husband and wife determine they wanted to conceive a child, much to the chagrin of Larry, who weary that Meredith's illness would return from remission. Merrie soon convinces Larry, and in 1971 after months of bed rest
Bed rest
Bed rest is a medical treatment involving a period of consistent recumbence in bed. It is used as a treatment for an illness or medical condition, especially when prescribed or chosen rather than resulting from severe prostration or imminent death...
, Meredith gives birth two children, a son named Daniel and a stillborn
Stillborn
Stillborn may refer to:*stillbirth in medicine*Stillborn , from Poland*"Stillborn" , a 2003 song by Black Label Society*Stillborn , a 1993 album by Malevolent Creation...
daughter. Falling into post-partum depression at the loss of her daughter, the housewife became deeply depressed, and Dr. Wolek calls in a favor to Dr. Joyce Brothers
Joyce Brothers
Joyce Brothers is an American psychologist, television personality and advice columnist, publishing a daily syndicated newspaper column since 1960.-Personal life:...
to help with his wife's grief.
In 1973, thieves broke into Llanfair seeking the valuable art collection of Victor, taking Merrie and her brother-in-law Vinny hostage. After days of broken-down crisis negotiations, Vinny and Meredith attempt to escape from the garage where they were held, and a clumsy Meredith falls and hits her head when one of the gunmen shoved her. Merrie suffers massive brain trauma, and before succumbing to her injuries tells Viki (Slezak
Erika Slezak
Erika Alma Hermina Slezak is an American actress, best known for her role as Victoria Lord on the American daytime soap opera One Life to Live...
) to tell Larry how happy he had made her. Meredith briefly returns in a scene when Viki has a near-death experience and appears in Heaven in 1987.