Patricia Mary Frye-Classen

Patricia Mary Frye-Classen, 87, of Naples, FL, passed away peacefully in Naples on Monday, November 2, 2026. Born June 15, 1939, in Chicago, IL, Pat held a dear place in the hearts of all who knew her, especially her two daughters and the family who cherished her.

Pat is survived by her beloved daughters, Deborah Muchmore (Dennis) of Naples, FL and Lansing, MI, and Cheryl Lentine (Chris) of Alto, MI; grandchildren, Ethan and Sophia Lentine; sisters, Sherrod Deputy (Lawrence) of Scottsdale, AZ and Janet White (David); brother, Robert Eldridge (Susan); niece, Jennifer Deputy; nephew, Reid Deputy; and sister-in-law, Carol Eldridge of Elkhart, IN and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Steven C. Eldridge, and her parents, Mary and Cliff Eldridge.

A Naples resident for more than 40 years, Pat met her best friend and the love of her life, Edward F. Classen, at Moorings Presbyterian Church. They married in 1987, sharing world cruises, days aboard their yacht Amore, and cherished family gatherings. Through Naples Sailing and Yacht Club and Great Lakes Cruising Club, they held leadership roles and built lasting friendships filled with shared adventures and celebrations. Ed Classen passed away in 2000.

Pat also chaired the Circumnavigators Club’s Naples chapter and was active in the Club’s international activities in New York, NY.

At Preferred Travel of Naples, in concert with her friend Wilma Boyd, Pat shared her love of travel through cruises that opened the world to others. She circled the globe several times with clients before retiring in 2021, creating life-changing experiences along the way. With friends old and new, she cruised to nearly every corner of the world, finding beauty in people, places, and nature. To Pat, travel was a way to bridge cultures and turn strangers into friends.

Of all the things Pat treasured, family, close friends, and time together meant the most. In recent months, she sought every chance to be with them. She loved dolphins, a good vodka tonic, ice cream, coconut cake, elegance and manners, and Gulf Coast sunsets; her home was adorned with exquisite artifacts she collected during her travels. Her adventures included ballooning over the Alps and Chianti region’s sunflower fields; betting on horses in Keeneland and Dubai and at her friend Thelma Hodges’ annual Derby gathering; and admiring Buckingham Palace’s changing of the guard.

Pat graduated from South Bend Riley High School in 1957 and attended Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.

For the last three years, caregivers Teresa Dawes and Val Hmielewski brought care and companionship to Pat’s days, helping her live with strength, lightness, and dignity. She also held Bonnie and Chuck Carney, Maria Figueroa, Sandra Rodrigues, and Rosy Palmera dear. Our family thanks them for their dedication to Pat, her home, and all of us.

Our family is deeply grateful to the nurses and staff of Arbor Glen at Arbor Trace and Avow Hospice for the loving care that shepherded Pat into life everlasting.

No services are currently planned. Hodges Funeral Home is helping with arrangements.

In place of flowers, contributions may go to the Circumnavigators Club Foundation (https://circumnavigators.org/about-us/our-foundation/foundation-overview/) or the Arbor Pointe Foundation at Arbor Trace (https://www.arbortrace.com/about).

We love you, Mom. Now, go and be nice to all the people.