Caroline Howard Hume

She died in 2008 in San Francisco, California. Her funeral took place at the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

She received the Philanthropist of the Year award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2001.

In 1935, a few months before her wedding, she established the Los Angeles Women's Junior Philharmonic. After she moved to San Francisco, California with her husband, she became a donor to the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Indeed, she served on the board of directors of the San Francisco Symphony from 1946 to her death in 2008. Moreover, a significant charitable donation she made to the Conservatory led to its move to Oak Street, where the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall is named in her honor. She also received the Golden Hallow Award from the Conservatory. In 2010, its Annual Spring Gala was held in her honor. Furthermore, she endowed the Caroline H. Hume Endowed Chair at the San Francisco Opera, currently held by Nicola Luisotti, the music director.

On February 20, 1935, she married Jaquelin H. Hume, the co-founder of Basic American Foods. They had four children: Patricia Highberg, Carol Tolan, William J. Hume, and George H. Hume. They lived in Presidio Heights, a suburb of San Francisco, California. She became a widow when he died in 1991.

Caroline Howard Hume (a.k.a. Betty Hume) (1909–2008) was an American philanthropist and art collector from California. Hume's philanthropy extended to non-profit organizations in the areas of music, the outdoors, and modern art. She was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve on the Museum Services Board and by the Secretary of Interior to serve on the National Parks Foundation. Hume was a significant benefactor of the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Caroline Howard was born in 1909 in Los Angeles, California. She was educated at the Marlborough School in Hancock Park, Los Angeles, Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut and Finch College in Manhattan, New York City.