Betty Lea Fries

In 1956, when Betty was nine years old, the family moved to Naples, Florida. She was the oldest of five siblings, the only girl. In September 1960, at the age of fourteen, she stayed home with her brothers while hurricane Donna roared across South Florida.

Betty was active in the Girl Scouts growing up, she enjoyed the beach, camping, and sailing. Graduating from Naples High School in 1965 she left Naples to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville where she met and married John Schweitzer. They had a daughter, Natasha. While John was in the Air Force they lived in California and in Japan. When they left Japan they traveled across Asia, coming home the long way. Eventually they landed in East Lansing, Michigan where they both earned their doctorate degrees. Betty worked in Education at Michigan State University for many years before she moved to Chicago to work for Encyclopedia Britannica.

To escape the harsh winters in the Windy City she loved to fly to the Virgin Islands where she met and eventually married Captain Larry Fries. They lived in Red Hook Harbour in Saint Thomas on the 42 foot sailing yacht, Forever Young. They spent many happy years together sailing the Caribbean, visiting many islands, filling their passports with the stamps of many lands.

Returning to her roots, eventually they sailed the Forever Young back to South Florida, and settled in Naples, where she had grown up.

Betty is predeceased by her husband, Larry Fries, her parents, Fred and Beatrice, her brothers, Frederick, Greg, and John. She is survived by her grandson, Anthony Johnston and her brother, James Decker and his wife Celia.

During her final days she was cared for by her faithful and loving daughter, Natasha McCabe.

If Betty had one final wish it would be for you to live your dreams.