Carolyn Jacobs Humke

Carolyn J. Humke, 84, longtime Boca Grande and Indianapolis resident, passed away January 27 after a brief illness. Survivors include her son, Steven, and granddaughter, Rachael. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ramon L. Humke.

Carolyn was born in Quincy, Illinois, and attended Valparaiso University. She moved to Indianapolis in January 1984 with her husband and began studying at the Indianapolis Art Center. Taking up watercolor painting at age 50 was a challenge, she often said. But her natural talent and hard work paid off. Her artwork is displayed in many homes throughout Florida and Indiana.

In 1999, she won best in show at the Watercolor Society of Indiana. She also had paintings exhibited in the Hoosier Salon Woman Show, the Indiana Artist’s Club and the South Side Art League Regional Show. She had a one woman show at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in 1997 and the Columbia Club in 1998.

She was an exhibiting member of the Art in Hand Gallery in Zionsville, Indiana, and the Boca Grande Art Center.

She also was a member of the Hoosier Salon, the Watercolor Society of Indiana, the Indianapolis Art Center, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Boca Grande Lighthouse United Methodist Church.

Carolyn and Ray were married on November 20, 1954 in Quincy. They purchased a residence in Boca Grande in 1995 and became Florida residents in the early 2000s. Their partnership was an extraordinary one, lasting for nearly 60 years.

Ray once credited Carolyn with making it much easier for him to have a successful career in the telecommunications industry. “She moved willingly through many job transfers. She was supportive and helpful and a great mother to our son. She was a rock who was always there for me,” he said.

Along with her husband, Carolyn was a generous contributor of her time, talent and financial resources to many worthy causes. She volunteered for the Methodist Church’s Strawberry Festival, Pancake Breakfast and Mother’s Night Out. Every year she could be counted on to donate one of her lovely watercolor paintings to the Strawberry Festival silent auction.

She will be greatly missed by her family, many friends and beloved dog, Kramer.

A Memorial Reception in her honor will be held Saturday, June 16 from 1 to 4 PM at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in the Wood Room, 45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Attn: Tori Ramsay, 32 E. Washington St, Ste 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or online at https://www.indianapolissymphony.org/support/donate.