Obituary: Elizabeth Andresen

Elizabeth Wells Jones Andresen died April 27 at the age of 89. She lived in La Cañada Flintridge for 52 years, from 1951 until 2003.

In 2003, Elizabeth and her husband, Bob Andresen, moved to Villa Gardens in Pasadena. Bob died in April 2005. Elizabeth is survived by her children, Dale Jones of Shell Beach, Calif.; Joyce Millikan of Pasadena; Wendy Allestad of Altadena; step-daughter Elyse Carr of Seymour, Ind.; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth was born in Denver, Colo., on Dec. 26, 1920. Her family moved to Glendale in 1926, where Elizabeth and her brother Walt walked to the Dorn Street Elementary School. Elizabeth graduated from Marlborough High School in Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor of arts degree in merchandising in 1943. While at USC, Elizabeth joined the Delta Gamma sorority and became president.

During World War II, Elizabeth earned her wings as a pilot in Reno, Nev., so she could ferry planes to those flying in war zones; however, a marriage proposal from Robert E. “Bob” Jones intervened, and she gave up her potential flying career. Bob and Elizabeth settled in La Cañada, where they raised their four children. Their marriage was cut short when Bob Jones died in a scuba-diving accident in July 1971.

In 1972, Elizabeth and La Cañada widower, Robert (“Bob”) Andresen, were introduced by friends, and were married that year. They enjoyed gardening, volunteer work and world travel together to Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, India and parts of Africa. During their 34 years of marriage, the couple hosted many friends and family members each summer at Kaweah Han Lodge, located in the Mineral King portion of Sequoia National Park.

Elizabeth was twice president of the La Cañada Thursday Club; president of Chapter C.J., P.E.O.; president of the La Cañada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild; active in the Assistance League of Flintridge and the PTA. Elizabeth also led various Girl Scout troops; was a 1984 Les Tupper Award recipient, and a trustee of La Cañada Valley Beautiful. A member of La Cañada Presbyterian Church since 1950, Elizabeth most recently attended Lake Avenue Church near her Pasadena home.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that remembrances may be sent in her name to the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, or the charity of one’s choice.