Patricia M. Behnke

Patricia Mason Behnke (Pat), age 83, of Little River, South Carolina, formerly of Ormond Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Pat was born March 27, 1940 in Cornstalk, West Virginia to the late Edward (Aaron) Mason and Edna Mae Mason.

She is survived by her daughters, Holly J. Wass, Melanie B. Cribbs (Ken) and Lisa D. Lorber; step-children, Kenneth Behnke (Linda), Alan Behnke, Lori Brooks (Jeff), Susan Graham; A special member of the family, Eddy Tinnivlioglou, who referred to her as his "American Mom". Also left to cherish her memory are numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Affectionately called Grandma, G G and Aunt Pat, she will be greatly missed. Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 37 years, Robert (Bob) J. Behnke; brother, Edward E. Mason; sister, Charlotte D. Andrews; grandmother, Mae Martin (Mama).

Pat was raised in Baltimore, Maryland where she graduated from high school in 1956. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, where her daughters were born and her career in the garment industry began. After meeting the love of her life, Bob Behnke, the two got married on Valentine's Day in 1981. Her career in the garment industry eventually landed them in Jarrettsville, Maryland, where after years of service as a design engineer, she retired from London Fog. After retiring from London Fog, her love of sailing and her strong inquisitive nature brought her to Stuart, Florida, where she enrolled in training at the Chapman School of Seamanship and became a certified licensed ship captain. Her love of the water along with the fact that her, Bob, and their beloved sailing companion, sheltie Skipper, could all go to work together everyday led her to take a job as a certification instructor providing professional mariner training at the Chapman School. This was a job Pat dearly loved. Pat and Bob's shared love of sailing led to buying and living aboard the "Island Princess", a beautiful 60 foot sailboat. Through the years of sailing up and down the eastern shore and to the Bahama Islands, she met many friends whose friendships she treasured dearly. Pat never met a stranger. One of her sayings were "There's always room at my table for one more." She took a great amount of pleasure in hosting and entertaining. Her favorite times were having the grandchildren visit during the summer and even encouraged and welcomed them to bring friends along with them.

After sailing the seas they settled in Ormond Beach in 2003. During her years in Florida, Pat was very active in the community. She enjoyed volunteering with the voting polls and she worked part time at the beach access ramps in Daytona as a way to stay connected to the beach and her love of people. She held many titles and certifications including being a certified scuba diver and ordained minister. Pat briefly lived in Phoenix, Arizona. In May of 2023, Pat moved to Little River with her daughter, Melanie and son-in-law Ken, to once again be by the ocean and to be closer to her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the family residence in Little River. At a later date, inurnment will take place at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery to join Pat with her late husband.

Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River is assisting the family.