Barbara Beaty Beaver

Barbara Beaty Beaver of Prescott, Arizona, passed away on Feb. 27th, 2026 after living a very full life.

Barbara was born on August 29, 1942. She was born in a small house in Allardt, Tennessee to Fred and Thelma Beaty. She was the eldest of three children, Fred and Melba being her younger siblings. Barbara relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1950 where she lived for 26 years.

Barbara graduated from North High School as the valedictorian in 1959. She continued her education at Arizona State University where she earned her undergraduate degree in Accounting, once again graduating as co-valedictorian in 1965. She also earned her Master's Degree in Accounting and CPA at ASU.

She began her accounting career as an auditor with Arthur Andersen in Los Angeles, California. She returned to Phoenix two years later where she worked as the comptroller for Maricopa County Hospital. She then went on to work at ASU in computers and accounting and quickly became one of their most highly valued employees.

Barbara married Don Beaver on August 28, 1976. After marrying, they relocated to New Orleans where she became the head of accounting for Children's Hospital for two years. She loved the social aspects of living in New Orleans, enjoying Mardi Gras, attending the Super Bowl, and relishing fine cuisine.

Barbara relocated once again to Brookfield, Wisconsin in 1978. She was immediately employed by Allis-Chalmers until she began working for Blue Cross Shield of Milwaukee. She continued her career at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee working in accounting until she became Assistant Dean of the School of Allied Health.

Barbara and Don's life in Milwaukee was lots of fun. They had great friends that helped make life enjoyable. Barbara loved sports and attending sporting events. You could find Barbara with her friends at Green Bay Packers games, Road Races at Elkhart Lake, University of Wisconsin, Madison football, basketball, and hockey games. Barbara also enjoyed Friday night snowmobiling to the Blue Heron for their fish fry. Once a month Barbara and Don attended a dinner theater in Elm Grove. Barbara loved music. Barbara and Don attended the Summer Fest each year while they lived in Wisconsin where they enjoyed concerts from Tina Turner, Moody Blues, Oakridge Boys, Celine Dion, and James Taylor just to name a few. The Milwaukee Pops Symphony Orchestra was a favorite of hers as well. Barbara loved her summer trips with Don to Saratoga, New York for the horse races. Barbara and Don loved their friendship with Ron and Sue Hammond and all the fun that came with it. They played card games, boated, and snowmobiled together.

Barbara retired from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2003. Barbara and Don then moved to Prescott, Arizona to begin a whole new life. She loved being back in Arizona so that she could be closer to her family. Barbara and Don made lots of new friends and traveled the world with them. They particularly enjoyed cruising to foreign countries. Some of the highlights of their cruising was the circumvention of Australia, one cruise that went to Europe, Africa, and South America, and a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest and another one on the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

Barbara was one of the original founding members of a bunco group called the Fun Girls. She looked forward to playing on the second Wednesday of every month. She was also part of a book club that met monthly which included dinner. Barbara and Don were season ticket holders for the Prescott Pops Symphony Orchestra.

Barbara was preceded in death by her mother Thelma, sister Melba Mares, and brother Fred Beaty. She is survived by and will be terribly missed by her husband Don Beaver, nephews Chris Mares and David Gooding (Brooke Gooding) and nieces Jill Culiver (Carsen and Kellen Culiver) and Robyn Cadriel (Paul Lorton and Amber Escobedo).

Private services will be held in Scottsdale for the family and close friends. Barbara's Celebration of Life will be held in Prescott at a later date.

Live Stream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/5786261

Recorded Video Link: https://vimeo.com/1171860712