Raleigh, N.C. — The wife of Senate leader Marc Basnight died Sunday after an illness, his office announced Monday.
Sandy Basnight, 59, had been hospitalized in Chapel Hill with an undisclosed illness. Basnight told Senate colleagues last week that he would be absent "for the immediate future" because of a family matter.
Services will be held on Wednesday in Wanchese. Further details are pending.
Donations can be made in Sandy Basnight's name to Bethany United Methodist Church, 101 Old Wharf Road, Wanchese, NC 27981.
Notes and cards to Marc Basnight and his family can be sent to 2007 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601.
Basnight, a Dare County Democrat, is among the most powerful elected officials in state government. He has served in the Senate since 1985 and has been Senate president pro tempore for a record eight two-year terms.
His absence comes as the House and Senate try to work out differences in their competing budgets before the new fiscal year begins July 1.
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