She was an illustrator, as were both her parents.
From The Herald Statesman, Yonkers, New York, Thursday, July 17, 1980: Hilma Barnum, 59, a 30-year Hastings-on-Hudson resident, died Monday at her home after a long illness. Born Sept 26, 1920 in New York City, Mrs. Barnum was a graduate of Bronxville High School. She was married in 1941 in New York City to Jay Hyde Barnum. He died in 1962. She was a parishioner of the First Reform Church of Hastings.
She is survived by three sons. Gregory of North Bergen, N.J., Timothy of Silver Springs, Md., and Erik of White Plains: a daughter, Mrs. Amanda Carlson of Mt. Kisco and a grandchild.