Patricia Ann Midgett

Swansboro- Patricia Ann Midgett, 84, passed away at her home on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

How does a little girl, named Patricia Ann Parkerton, born in New Milford, CT on October 10, 1940 end up in Swansboro in 1972, making it her home for the next 53 years? The story goes that a handsome young serviceman stationed near her Guilford, CT home, walked into the soda shop where she worked. That young man was Swansboro native, Leo Midgett. Four years later they were married and remained husband and wife for 62 years until he passed away in September, 2022. During their marriage, Leo's years in the Coast Guard moved them all over New England, then to Key West and finally to Swansboro. She tells of the many moves, the places they lived and the friends they made. Her fondest memory and one of the greatest adventures was being able to live in a lighthouse in York Beach, ME. Although she "followed" Leo from assignment to assignment, she was never in the background. This was never more evident once she and Leo made it to Swansboro with their two young children, Danny and Dee Dee. Immediately after the move to Elm St., Leo left for Thailand where he was stationed for the next 15 months. Pat, doing what she does best, got busy. She became an active member of Swansboro United Methodist Church and started working as a Teacher's Assistant at Swansboro Elementary School, until she retired, 28 years later. It was here that she made life long friendships and touched the lives of many children that passed through her school classroom or Sunday School classroom. She was one of the 'original' soccer moms, was always on one committee or another at school or church and was an integral part of Swansboro's Bicentennial Celebration back in 1983. She was an organizer and doer and could get more done in a day than most. She had an open door policy for Danny and Dee Dee's friends and insisted that everyone make themselves at home. This hospitality spilled over even after she became "The Grandma" to Kristi and Drew who were fortunate enough to grow up in and share the same home with her and their granddaddy. The more commotion in the house and the more people around, the better. There was always a place at the table for anyone that might be around, even at holidays. Her and Leo's favorite thing was hosting a large crowd at their home every Mullet Festival for breakfast (according to them, it was better than Christmas). This tradition has continued for over 40 years.

She was a bit on the stubborn side and was never afraid to let her opinion be known, but this is what made Pat, "Pat". She was a huge Carolina Hurricanes fan and would yell for them just as loudly at home as she did when she was able to be in the stands! She loved company and loved to tell stories. She loved her family (especially her grandchildren) and friends deeply and rarely met a stranger.

She passed away in her home surrounded by love on October 4, at the age of 84. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leo Midgett; her parents Clarence (Parky) and Dorothy Parkerton; her sister, Carol Larson and her stepgrandson, Nicholas Gradus. She is survived by her son, Danny Midgett; daughter, Dee Dee Midgett; granddaughter, Kristi Gradus; grandson Drew Gradus and her pup, Willy, who never left her side. She also leaves behind nieces Deborah Midgett, Pam Midgett Laws (Jeff), Lisa Larson, and Katy Laws; nephews Keith Midgett (Liz), Peter Midgett (Donna), Brandon Midgett (his children Charlotte and Fletcher), and Josh Laws (his wife Olivia and children Waylon and Gemma).

A gathering to remember and celebrate Pat will be announced.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in honor of Kristi and Drew Gradus to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at https://give.cff.org/central-eastern-carolinas

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