Esther “Lou” Peel died July 15, 2013 in Hutchinson, Kansas at age 87. She was married to Robert H. “Bob” Peel with whom she founded the family business, Peel’s Beauty Supply, later Peel’s Salon Services. She was an active member of the professional beauty industry and supportive of many associations and activities within the industry. She became a motivational speaker and author after she and her family survived the 1985 TWA flight 847 hijacking.

Peel is survived by her husband of 66 years, two sons, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She will be remembered by countless friends and colleagues in the professional salon industry. Memorial donations may be made to Breast Cancer Research at City of Hope.