Her job with the United States Post Office took her from the streets of Southgate to the streets of Oxford, and finally to an office in Lake Orion.
Oxford resident Jan Acheson retired from the post office after 33 years on June 27, having served at the Lake Orion Post Office since 1984.
Acheson, a Southgate native, began her career there as a mail carrier, then later moved to the Oxford area as a substitute carrier there. She also served as a clerk at the Lake Orion office, and finally ended her career after six years in management as the supervisor of customer services and rural carriers.
“I was introduced to this area during band camp out here,” Acheson said. “I liked it, and then I met my husband here.”
Acheson’s husband Keith has lived in Oxford all his life. The couple has three sons: Brian, 25; Chad, 23; and Daniel, 21; as well as a one-year-old granddaughter, Isabelle.
“I was a mail carrier for 12 years,” said Acheson. “I liked being a clerk. (In management) I also did the back office financial end, and I enjoyed that…being in management wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t what I wanted.”
Acheson said the post office has changed a lot since she began working there over 30 years ago.
“It’s gone to so much automation, with computers and stuff…I don’t want to say I’m old, but I am,” she added. “The automated part of it is great in some ways.”
Acheson will miss her co-workers.
“We’re very close,” she said. The group planned a retirement party at the Lake Orion office for her last day on June 27.
As for her retirement plans, Acheson said right now she doesn’t really have any.
“Just be a mom and a wife,” she said. “I love to sew…I have my granddaughter.” Acheson’s granddaughter and daughter-in-law are staying with her in Oxford while her son Chad serves with the military in Iraq. He is expected home in October.
“They live in Colorado, but they’re here right now,” she said. “My youngest is getting married in September, and my oldest in December…I have time to do all that now.”