Dorothy Cullman, Philanthropist

Age at death: 91

Major philanthropic effort: With her husband, Lewis B. Cullman, Dorothy Culluman gave more than $250-million to arts, educational, human-rights, and science organizations in New York. (The couple is shown at right.)

How she made her mark: “Dorothy was really a renaissance woman,” said Ellen Futter, president of the American Museum of Natural History. “She had a keen intellect, boundless curiosity, a very distinct wit, inimitable style; she was always elegant. And extraordinary passion, a fierce passion for things she cared about — she had an unusually broad range of things she cared about and supported.”

Ms. Cullman engaged in strategic planning, held conversations about exhibitions, and delighted in seeing schoolchildren at the museum, Ms. Futter said.

Because of her love of physics and her desire to bring art and science together, Ms. Cullman, who served on the museum’s board for 15 years, made one of the biggest gifts to create the museum’s Hall of the Universe, which illustrates the discoveries of modern astrophysics. She was also one of the biggest donors to a joint program between the museum and the New York Botanical Garden that focuses on molecular systematics studies.

Key accomplishments: Ms. Cullman served on the boards of many institutions in New York: the American Academy in Rome, the American Museum of Natural History, the Enterprise Foundation’s New York Committee, the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Human Rights Watch, and the New York Public Library. She and her husband have contributed $38-million to the library over the last 30 years and have also supported the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the Museum of Modern Art, and the New York Botanical Garden.

Interests: In her youth, Ms. Cullman was a model for Saks Fifth Avenue and studied drama, and her enthusiasm for fashion and film never waned. At New York’s public-television station, Thirteen/WNET, Ms. Cullman financed three films based on Edith Wharton’s novels.

How she will be remembered: “All over New York you will see the stamp of their [the Cullmans’] belief of making good things happen for individuals, institutions, and the whole of the city,” says Ms. Futter. “Their influence is truly palpable. And Dorothy was a driving force behind that….They make New York New York.”