Michelle Labbat

Shulman

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Michelle Labbat Shulman

Michelle Labbat Shulman passed away in Southampton, New York, on January 17, 2026, where she was surrounded by her loving family. Michelle is survived by her four children, three daughters-in-law and ten grandchildren.

Michelle was born on January 19, 1943, in New York City. Michelle's parents, Marianne and Eugene Labbat, emigrated from France to New York City and later moved their family to East Hampton in 1952. It was then that her parents opened the beloved French restaurant Chez Labbat on Main Street in East Hampton, which became a cherished part of the community and a meaningful chapter in the family's life. The restaurant's extraordinary French cuisine and lively spirit inspired a lifelong tradition of entertaining friends and family with great food and conversation at Michelle's homes throughout the years – a tradition that Michelle passed on to her four children.

Michelle attended Sacred Heart Academy in Sag Harbor and later continued her education at Marymount College. She married Stephen R. Kenny in 1964, and together they raised their four children (Lisa Bass, Stephen Kenny, Bryan Kenny, and Marc Kenny) in various states, including New York City, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, upstate New York, and finally back to East Hampton in 1975. Once back in East Hampton, Michelle worked in the fashion and retail industries in various capacities with Latham House, Burton's, and Chesterfields in East Hampton and New York City. She was also a successful real estate broker in the Hamptons first at Lona Rubenstein Realty, then Allan M. Schneider & Associates and finally Sotheby's International Real Estate. In 1989, Michelle married her second husband, Myron "Bud" Shulman, an architect, builder, and developer whose East End home designs blended exterior landscapes with home interiors, and together they built a home in Amagansett. She was predeceased by Bud, who passed away in 2013.

Later in her life, Michelle divided her time between her beloved home in Amagansett and in various places in California (including Santa Monica), where she could be closer to her children and grandchildren. She loved to travel with her husband Bud and took great joy in seeing the world as she was always curious and deeply engaged with the places, people, and gardens around the world.

Throughout her life, she carried a deep appreciation for natural beauty and self-expression – qualities most vividly seen in her gardens. Gardening was both her passion and her refuge, a place where she found peace and solace. Her gardens were her canvas, alive with color, movement, and intention, reflecting her creative spirit.

Above all else, Michelle found great joy in her family. She was a devoted mother to her four children and a loving mother-in-law to Dr. Monica Sarang, Jessie (Lebwith) Kenny, Marge (Redmond) Kenny, and the late Joel Bass. She was a proud and adoring grandmother to her ten grandchildren: Max Bass, Myles Kenny, Liam Kenny, Ella Kenny, Luke Kenny, Theo Bass, Maya Kenny, Julia Kenny, Georgia Kenny, and Carlee Kenny. She is also survived by her sister, Jeannette Schwenk, her brother, Jay Labbat, and her nephew, Jonathan Schwenk. Each family member shared special moments with Michelle over her lifetime and will carry treasured memories and stories into the future.

Michelle will be remembered for her independent spirit, strength, grace, creativity, sense of humor and adventure, and her devotion to family. She leaves behind a legacy of love, beauty, festive gatherings, and deeply-rooted family bonds that will endure for generations.

Family and friends are invited to share memories on Facebook (Lisa Bass) or Instagram (@Divahands). A service for Michelle will be held at a later date this spring with an announcement to be made by her daughter, Lisa, via her social media accounts.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Michelle's memory may be made to the Southampton Hospital Foundation in support of Palliative Care, or to your local botanical gardens.