Esther A. Koulax

ESTHER A. KOULAX
June 12, 1929 – September 24, 2011

Esther Auerbach Koulax passed away peacefully with her family at her side on September 24, 2011. She was 82.
Esther was born in Buffalo, New York, the youngest of 16 children, to Catherine and John Shaw. The family moved to Los Angeles where she graduated from Belmont High School and California State University, Los Angeles. She taught elementary school in San Francisco and abroad during the post-World War II reconstruction in France.
Esther was fortunate to have had two loving marriages. In 1957, she married Arthur Auerbach, an attorney and nightclub owner of the renowned Jazz Workshop in San Francisco. In the early 1960s, they settled in Marin County with their two children, Robert and Arthur.
Several years after Art's untimely death, Esther met and married the late Tom Koulax, founder of Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers. She and Tom raised her two sons in Palos Verdes where she lived out her remaining years.
Esther was known for her generosity. She supported countless charities in the South Bay area. Esther was a loving wife, devoted mother and a faithful friend to all who knew her.
She is survived by her son Robert and his wife, Dana, and grandsons: Thomas, Timothy and Paul of Orange, California. Her son Arthur and his wife, Maria, and grandchildren: Kathryn and Christopher of Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life Saturday, Oct. 1st, 2011, 4 PM, at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church at 26825 Rolling Hills Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274. Donations to honor Esther's memory may be made to Little Company of Mary Hospital of San Pedro.
Green Hills Mortuary (310) 831-0311