Myrna Beyer Aronson; Served on School Board

Myrna Jane Beyer Aronson of Thousand Oaks, a former school board member and longtime park and recreation leader, died Sunday. She was 62.

She was born Sept. 30, 1938, in Twenty-nine Palms. She was the daughter of John and Myrtle Beyer, who had been Thousand Oaks residents since 1922.

Aronson grew up in Thousand Oaks and during the latter part of her life lived in her childhood home, which had been built by her father.

She attended Conejo Elementary School and Oxnard High School where she joined the Madrigal ensemble vocal group. During her high school years she also was the director of the Ascension Lutheran Church Choir in Thousand Oaks.

After high school, she moved to Santa Monica and began working for General Telephone, but soon returned to Thousand Oaks to marry her childhood sweetheart, Leroy Aronson.

She enjoyed camping with her family and teaching Sunday school at a local Baptist church.

When her two sons started school, Aronson sold Avon products and became active in the Valley Oaks School District after the district eliminated busing for all but handicapped students. Aronson was later elected to the Valley Oaks school board.

After her service on the school board and realizing that she enjoyed working outside, she was hired by the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 1974. She attended Moorpark College at night to obtain an associate of arts degree and was promoted to a grounds crew leader, a position she held until she became ill two weeks ago.

She was a gourmet cook, a self-taught nutritionist and a competent seamstress. She was also good with a hammer and screwdriver, skills she learned from her father.

When the Civic Arts Plaza opened in 1994, she signed on as a charter volunteer usher. With two of her lifelong friends, Judy Baumgartner and the late Barbara Claxton, she organized two formal Conejo school reunions for those who attended area schools before 1955.

She loved to travel and dance. She traveled to Egypt, Alaska, Machu Pichu, the Galapagos Islands and along the U.S. Bicentennial Trail. Many weekends would find her hiking in Death Valley, walking in the sand at Pismo Beach or visiting San Diego. She climbed Mt. Whitney and two years later celebrated her 50th birthday by climbing down into the Grand Canyon. She had just returned from a trip to Antarctica to see penguins when she became ill.

Aronson also took dancing lessons and was a member of the San Fernando Valley National Smooth Dancers. She had recently entered competitions.

In addition to her two sons, Douglas of Watsonville and Russell of Phoenix, she is survived by a brother, George Beyer of Montana; a sister, Barbara of Thousand Oaks; and four grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Pierce Bros. Griffin Mortuary in Thousand Oaks, which is handling arrangements. Memorial services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at the Ascension Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Willis Moerer and the Rev. Larry Wagner officiating. Following the reception there will be a reception in Pederson Hall at the church.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Myrna Aronson Memorial Scholarship fund. For information call the church office at 495-0406.