She began training in ballet at age 5, her daughter Cassidy Zee Macleod said, and at 15 moved to New York City, where she pursued dancing and briefly attended New York University. She was a cast member of the soap opera “One Life to Live” in 1976 before her move to “General Hospital” the next year.

In addition to Ms. Macleod, Ms. Zeman, who lived in Calabasas, Calif., is survived by another daughter, Lacey Rose Gorden; two sisters, Lauren Fischetti and Carol Kolb; and two grandchildren. Her marriages to the disc jockey Murray Kaufman (known professionally as Murray the K), Steve Gribbin and Glenn Gorden, the father of her daughters, ended in divorce.

In April, “General Hospital” celebrated 60 years on the air. Ms. Macleod said that one of her mother’s last appearances was on an episode that month featuring a nurses’ ball.

The show’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, “Just like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and true professional that brought so much positive energy with her to work.”

Ms. Macleod said that her mother adored the “strong-willed” role of Bobbie, and that she and her sister saw how deeply their mother’s role had affected people when some of the nurses caring for her described how Bobbie had inspired them.

“We recognized how many lives she touched,” said Ms. Macleod. “They said they became nurses because of her.”