I'm nine years too late, but
personally, I don't think these actresses quit the profession when they hit their 40s. The profession quits them. There are very few solid roles in Hollywood for women over 40, so unless you want to play the mother of the hero or a cashier in a grocery store, you're not going to get much work unless you are Meryl Streep or Julia Roberts. All the choice roles are going to the young actresses.
Granted, some actresses quit in their 30s to start families, but after being out of the public eye for a few years, they're going to have a tough time getting back in.

she has been producing film projects. she is now back in California and working again
Hopefully we'll see more of her soon.

She is a DJ for some radio station on the east coast now.

Actually, she didn't even make it to 35 before she dropped out of sight. The last time she worked was in 1996, when she was 34.

I enjoyed her very much on "As the World Turns". It's a shame these good actresses seem to quit the profession when they hit their 40's.

yes, she was the dark-haired elly that got dissed by Craig Montgomery

Is she the dark haired Elly from As the World Turns?