Shelba Kay Midgett died at home in East Hampton on March 18 after a long illness. She was 78 and had lived on Bayview Avenue for 46 years.
A chambermaid and house cleaner, Ms. Midgett worked at the White Sands Resort Hotel on Napeague and the Panoramic View Resort and Residences in Montauk.
She enjoyed opening scallops, clamming, and splitting wood for her woodstove, her family said. Other favorite pastimes included puzzles, watching westerns, and, most of all, spending time with her family.
She was born at Southampton Hospital on Nov. 3, 1944, to John Nation and the former Kathleen Havens.
Ms. Midgett is survived by Stanley Bennett, her life partner, and four children, Michael Midgett, Lori Robertson, and Brian Midgett of East Hampton, and Anthony Bennett of Ridge. A fifth child, Penny Midgett, died of encephalitis at the age of 5 months.
Other survivors include three sisters, Carol Tarazavich, Joanne Havens, and Kathy Holmes of Mastic. A fourth sister, Carol Ann Nation, and a brother, Patrick Nation, died before her. Eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive, as do an aunt, Mildred Forbell, and an uncle, Fred Havens, both of East Hampton.
A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced. The family has suggested memorial donations to East End Hospice at eeh.org.
