In Memoriam: Former CU Leader Betty Petree

Betty Petree, who was appointed president/CEO of Pen Air Federal Credit Union during the 1970s when few women were in the corner office, passed away on April 21, the Pensacola, Fla.-based credit union announced Wednesday.

She was 92.

“We are saddened at the loss of Ms. Petree. A loyal Pen Air employee for 36 years, she served as a member of the board of directors for an additional 16,” President/CEO Delbert Lee Morgan for the $2.3 billion Pen Air FCU said in a prepared statement. “Ms. Petree originally joined us as a clerk in 1956. Her upward trajectory within the credit union is a testament to her character and love for Pen Air.”

Petree was named Pen Air’s CEO in April 1979. During that decade when women returned to the workforce in droves, the NCUA chartered 16 feminists’ credit unions and four women financial cooperatives across the nation inspired by the Women’s Movement.

After retiring in September 1992, according to Petree’s LinkedIn professional profile page, she joined Pen Air’s board of directors in 1998.

During Petree’s tenure as CEO and as a board member, her leadership was recognized as Boss of the Year by Credit Women International (1979); Professional of the Year (1992) and Volunteer of the Year (2004) from the National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions, according to PenAir. Petree was also inducted into the Defense Credit Unions Councils Hall of Honor in 2007 before retiring from the board as Director Emeritus in 2015.

To honor Petree’s memory, the family suggests contributions can be made to the Pilot Club of Pensacola, P.O. Box 965, Pensacola, Fla., 32591, or your favorite charity, according to Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel in Pensacola.

Petree’s life will be remembered at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Pensacola.