West Hollywood’s Esther Baum has died at the age of 98, WEHOville has learned.
Baum was named one of U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff’s fifteen Women of the Year in 2020 and had just been re-appointed to WeHo’s Senior Advisory Board by Sepi Shyne this year.
She retired from her job as an accountant in 2017 but remained in the community, participating in the Seniors in Action program, where she planned programs for senior citizens to come together, make friends and share memories. Baum also was a Neighborhood Watch block captain.
“Esther was a good friend to so many of us,” said former WeHo Councilmember John Duran. “Diligent liberal lioness of West Hollywood. Constantly reminding me ‘what about our seniors?’ We were all blessed to have her in our lives. And those deviled eggs she made for us – always the best!”
Baum was born and raised in Los Angeles and called West Hollywood home for more than 30 years. Upon graduating from high school, she attended college and majored in accounting. Over the years she has worked for public accounting firms and as an accountant for several businesses including a garment manufacturer, women’s sportswear shop, a beauty salon chain and an oral surgery practice. Baum’s involvement with the community included volunteering at a cancer center in Santa Monica where she reconstructed the files and payroll records after the building caught on fire. She also volunteered at Project Angel Food, the Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, and AARP, where she did tax preparation for senior citizens.
“Esther continues to be a dynamic force in the community,” Schiff said in a statement in the Congressional Record acknowledging her. Schiff noted that Baum enjoys hosting National Night Out gatherings in her neighborhood, which she has done for the past 29 years. She has made it a tradition to take all the remaining food to serve to the homeless.
Baum was a longtime member of Congregation Kol Ami. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Robert, and is survived by one daughter.
Esther BAUM was the most senior member of the WeHo Senior Advisory Board in years, 98, and service, possibly since the Board’s inception in 1987 (verification pending). She truly loved the City of West Hollywood and displayed that in her many civic and personal activities. A long-term member of the Harper-Sweetzer Neighborhood Association and avid leader and supporter of National Night Out, she worked until she was 92 as an accountant at several businesses. She was a devotee of the Hollywood Bowl and regularly attended WeHo civic and social events. Additionally, she was a member of Kol Ami Congregation. She… Read more »
The woman was a lioness. May her soul inspire us all. May her actions get us off the couch. May her integrity light a fire under the city council.
She was a truly wonderful person.
I always admire the active seniors in weho, despite not always in agreement. I’ll never forget the time a well known local activist got food poisioning from her deviled eggs. Who could it be? I wish the city had a good way to honor all our volunteers. RIP Esther
“despite not always in agreement” I believe you refer to people like Esther as “freeloaders” quite often. It doesn’t seem like you respect or admire people like Esther who fought for renter’s rights for decades.
Relax Francis. Take a break.
I respect seniors who get involved in what they believe in, and who volunteer their time for anything. We don’t have to agree on everything to still have respect.
Agree on everything? I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t agree with Esther on basically anything. She was a fierce advocate for renter’s rights and “marxist” (according to you) community services. Esther is one of the forces who helped disabled, seniors, low income people survive in this city.
And you would just refer to her as a “freeloader”. Shame
Esther was never considered a freeloader by anybody. Your reference is off base. She owned her condo, helped many people in need quietly, had a generous heart and spirit.
Wow.
This is incorrect, Larry. Esther lived in a rented apartment on Harper. She had been there for several decades. Please don’t spread misinformation.
“Esther was never considered a freeloader by anybody”
I’m referring to “WehoQueen” calling anyone who has benefited from rent control as a “freeloader”. This person leaves comments like that on the daily! I know you see their comments.
I drooped her off many times, sorry thought it was a condo building, perhaps you know the building better.
A kind, decent, giving, and selfless person. RIP, Esther.
I feel honored and privileged that I got to meet and talk with Esther Baum on several occasions! She was a kind and welcoming woman, as well as being a fearless and tireless advocate for West Hollywood!
Rest in peace, Esther ♥️
RIP, Esther Baum.
Esther was a tireless advocate for West Hollywood and its residents. She will be missed RIP