Jetsy Aronson

BY

Jetsy Aronson died on June 28, 2015 just two weeks short of her 97th birthday.

Jetsy (Yetske) Aronson was born of Dutch parents in Pasadena, California on July 14, 1918. Since no one could pronounce her name, it was quickly Americanized to Jetsy.

By her teens, Jetsy had become a talented dancer and baton twirler, appearing on stage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the Pasadena Playhouse, the Green Hotel and eventually opening her own School of the Baton in Pasadena.

While attending Pasadena Junior College, she was the majorette for the Pasadena Bull Dog Band. This was the official band of the Tournament of Roses that led the parade down Colorado Blvd and performed during half time in the Rose Bowl. In 1938, Jetsy set her baton aside when she was chosen to ride on a float as a Rose Parade Princess

Right around this time, in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there was a young man named Robert Caveney. After watching newsreels of Pasadena’s New Year’s Day parade, he decided to board a train west and soon became the drum major of the Pasadena Bull Dog Band. It didn’t take him long to notice the gorgeous majorette; and thus began a lifelong romance. They married in 1943.

Rob wasn’t the only one to notice Jetsy’s beauty. Hollywood came calling and, for 15 years, she appeared as a dancer in 22 major features, including “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Show Boat,” “Royal Wedding” and “Singing in the Rain.”

Rob and Jetsy started their family in 1947 with Young Rob, followed by Mike in 1950.

In the mid 80s, after Rob retired from his duties as a high school principal for the L.A. School District, they moved to Canyon Lake where they could continue pursuing their hobbies of golf and bridge. And in Arcadia, they formed a new circle of friends, which included Bud and Coyla Aronson.

Jetsy and Rob celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1993. Sadly a few months later Rob passed away. Sometime later, Bud lost Coyla to cancer. Jetsy and Bud found comfort in each other and married in 1996.They celebrated their 19th anniversary last May.

While living in Canyon Lake, Jetsy and Bud were active in several clubs. When they decided to move to Royal Oaks five years ago, they said what they would miss the most was Senior Chair Volleyball. Now, her Chair Volleyball friends say that Jetsy will live in their hearts forever and will continue to inspire them to live their lives to the fullest.

Jetsy’s memorial service will be on August 1, at 2 p.m., in the City of Bradbury. Anyone interested in attending can contact Karen Bevans at 951-246-1444.