Meet Your Neighbor
Beth Acree
Interview by Seth Allen
I was invited to join Beth Acree (long A - Kree) in her beautiful home in the shadow of the Cataline Mountains where she lives with her cat, Princess (her mother named her). The cat is rather anti-social but is an avid bird watcher from her perch by the bedroom window. It is a wildlife aficionado's haven. Far enough to be secluded and quiet, close enough to enjoy city life. Meet Beth Acree.
ME: Where were you born and raised?
BA: Muskogee, Oklahoma. I'm a certified Okie from Muskogee.
ME: Where did you go to college?
BA: The university of Oklahoma. I'm a Sooner. I got a Bachelor's of Social Work and a Master's of Social Work. I completed my PhD in Higher Education Administration at the University of Arizona in 1998.
ME: So you went from Oklahoma to Arizona?
BA: No, I worked in Student Services at a community college in Kileen, Texas.
ME: How'd you end up in Texas?
BA: My ex-husband was an Army Helicopter Pilot stationed there. After five or six years, we came to Tucson where he was a Helicopter Instruction Pilot at Pinal Air Park.
ME: What'd you do after you came to Tucson?
BA: I worked at Pima Community College off and on. Then in 2008, I became registrar at U of A. I worked there for 18 years. During that time, I became the Assistant VP of Registration and Financial Affairs. I became disenchanted with the politics of higher education, so I retired in 2019.
ME: How do you spend your time now?
BA: I volunteer at Lend A Hand, an affiliate of the Pima Council on Aging. I was the treasurer for Neighborhood Care Alliance for five years. I love it because it's neighbors. I got to know people in my then neighborhood. There's one I'm still in contact with. I automated much of the record keeping/accounting books for them. I'm part of the Tucson Bird Alliance which is part of the Audubon Society. I conduct tours of the studio and work events for Arizona Public Media. Once or twice a year I run a series for Divorce Recovery.
ME: When did you first come to St.Francis?
BA: I came to St.Francis in 2018.
ME: What attracted you to this church specifically?
BA: I went church shopping. I knew of St.Francis through Cynthia Kirk. She was very involved with St.Francis. The services changed after Covid; but I like the blended service, the variety, the contemporary.
ME: And, you are very involved with St.Francis.
BA: I facilitate Casa Maria, put together the tech slides for Sunday services, co-facilitate the Ministries Council, I sing in the choir, and, now I'm moving into the Finance Committee Chair.
ME: How did that happen?
BA: It's not a huge learning curve for me. I'm not afraid of it. I had something to offer. And I'm friends with Paula (Van Ness), so I knew she would shepherd me. And, I love the community at St.Francis.
ME: What is your hope for the church's future?
BA: I'd like to see us continue embracing openness, new things, new challenges, new missions.
ME: You have children?
BA: I have two daughters who are six years apart. They were not the best of friends growing up. But, as they got older they roomed together for a time when the oldest returned to Tucson. They both live in Tucson. Both are married. Now, they are best friends. It warms my heart. We get together when we can. It brings me great joy.
ME: What's your favorite pastime or hobby?
BA: I love jigsaw puzzles. DIY projects. I'm a birder.
ME: What are you reading now?
BA: I love Barbara Kingslover. But right now, "The Lion Women of Tehran" by Marjan Kamali.
ME: If your life was a book, what would the title be?
BA: Service Through Administration.
ME: Who would you want to play you in the movie version?
BA: Sarah Lancashire.
(SETH: I had to look her up. Sarah Lancashire is a British actress best known for the British comedy series Coronation Street).