Countess Henrietta de Hoernle, 1912-2016
Countess Henrietta de Hoernle, shown last year, left her name
and her husband’s name on more than 40 buildings throughout Boca Raton.
Photo by Barbara McCormick
Philanthropist donated
millions to Boca causes
By Mary Thurwachter
Difference-makers support causes large and small and wear a variety of hats. Some even come with tiaras. Henrietta, the Countess de Hoernle, known as The Countess, was one of them. She possessed a bedazzling collection of the ornamental crowns, some of which are on display at the Boca Raton Historical Society with more of the philanthropist’s memorabilia.
The countess died July 22 at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. She was 103.
With or without bejeweled head wear, the countess sparkled.
“Her eyes were so animated when talking about her favorite causes,” said Boca Raton native Doug Mummaw, an architect and Rotary Club president who worked with the countess on various causes. “I always think of her as this dignified, caring individual, much like her friend Flossy Keesely, who died in January at 101. These were special people.”
The countess and her late husband, Adolph, the Count de Hoernle, moved to Boca Raton in 1981. With their time and money, the couple supported numerous charities, including soup kitchens, hospitals, universities and historical preservation.
In 1985, the countess donated $500,000 to restore the train depot
as a gift to her husband, Count Adolph de Hoernle.
Photo provided by the Boca Raton Historical Society
Their impact was transformational.
Their names appear on more than 40 local buildings, including the Red Cross, YMCA, Museum of Art and The Railway Station. They donated an estimated $40 million to local organizations.
“While volunteering at a hospital as a young woman, I marveled at buildings that carried the names of people who gave money for people they didn’t know,” the countess said during a 2012 Coastal Star interview. “I wanted to do the same one day. I felt it was my obligation.”
And give she did. Over and over again.
The de Hoernles’ commitment to local philanthropy was unequaled, as they lent their name and resources to numerous charities in Boca Raton and the surrounding area.
After Adolph de Hoernle died in 1998, the countess pressed on with her philanthropic work. She was active in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and Knights of Malta, and is holder of the Grand Cross, Dame Commander of Justice and Ambassador at Large. Four years ago, she became one of just three people in the world to receive the Order of St. John’s highest award, the Cross of Merit.
She gave her time, too, and served on more than 30 charitable boards. Her motto: Give while you live so you know where it goes.
The countess gave to and enjoyed the arts, here at Lynn University
with friends Ruth McGoldrick (left) and Madelyn Savarick.
Photo by Barbara McCormick
“Henrietta, Countess de Hoernle, was one of the most remarkable ladies I have had the pleasure of knowing,” said her friend Isabelle K. Paul, commander, Order of St. John of Jerusalem. “Right up to the end she was still thinking of her beloved order, whose mission is to take care of the sick and the poor. She was the most selfless person whose heart was bigger than the universe. She was truly a blessing not only to the order, but to thousands who she never knew or faces she never saw. But her legacy will go on.”
Another friend and philanthropist, Alyce Erickson, said she especially appreciated the countess’ support of the arts and the building of the Mizner Park Amphitheater, the construction of state-of-the-art theaters for dance, literature, drama, musical theater and music, and her financial support to exceptional young artists.
“Because of her philanthropy, lives have been changed, hungry people fed and clothed, countless buildings have been built, education promoted, plus making available the Lynn University bachelor’s and master’s online degree programs, construction of dormitories, student life centers, recreational centers, athletic facilities and parks for one and all,” Erickson said.
Mary Csar, executive director of the Boca Raton Historical Society, said she misses the countess already. Csar said that when the count and countess made a $500,000 donation to restore the 1930 train depot in 1985, it was the largest gift ever made in the state for historic preservation.
The countess told The Coastal Star for a 2012 story connected to her 100th birthday celebration that her husband wasn’t thrilled with the idea of supporting the train station renovation.
“He said he could build a new one for less money, which he could, of course,” the countess said. “But it wasn’t about that. It was about preservation. So I did it and gave it [The Count de Hoernle Pavilion] as a present for his birthday.”
From the Black Forest
to Brooklyn
The countess was born Sept. 24, 1912, in the German Black Forest town of Karlsruhe. Her parents, George and Theresa, were musicians. She moved to the United States in 1931 to live with her grandparents in Brooklyn, N.Y.
She married the first of three German husbands, Karl Heinz Bisping, after meeting him at the Liederkranz Club, a Manhattan social club founded by German-Americans to promote social interaction and instrumental music.
After Bisping died in an accident, the countess later married Jeff Gass, who died in 1949 from malaria he contracted while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.
In 1950, the countess married businessman and engineer Adolph, the Count de Hoernle. They met at a Liederkranz masquerade ball.
The couple lived in Bronxville, N.Y., where the countess began volunteering at the Lawrence Hospital thrift shop.
Adolph de Hoernle made his fortune manufacturing stamped metal products. After he sold his company in 1965, the couple traveled the world.
They began using titles before moving to Florida, and there was some controversy about how they acquired them. In 1992, a story in The Boca Raton News accused the de Hoernles of buying their titles in 1981 for $20,000. The countess forcefully denied the claim and disinherited the city’s charities to the tune of $22 million.
She had a change of heart after residents resolutely supported her, stuffing her mailbox with letters of gratitude. Fans wore orange buttons and carried posters that read “I love Countess de Hoernle.” She felt the love — and she returned her money to the Boca Raton charities.
She claimed the Knights of Malta, a European chivalric order to which the de Hoernles belonged, let them know that her husband, through his family, had a legitimate claim on the title and encouraged the duo to start using the titles, Count and Countess de Hoernle.
The countess continued to help others. It was her passion, after all.
“Pittsburgh had the Carnegies; New York, the Rockefellers; Seattle, Bill and Melinda Gates. Boca Raton was fortunate to have the de Hoernles,” said County Commissioner and former Boca Raton Mayor Steven Abrams. “The countess changed the philanthropy scene here by donating to a lot of different causes, not just a few pet projects, and also always challenging others to contribute along with her. She was also known for volunteering for the charities she supported.”
Henrietta, the Countess de Hoernle is survived by two daughters, Carol (Richard) Wagman and Diana (Alan) Burgess; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 6 at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. Public viewing and paying of respects will begin at St. Gregory’s at 9:30 a.m., before the funeral service.
At her request, instead of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to make contributions to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem: Florida Commandery, c/o Commander Isabelle Paul, 1771 Sabal Palm, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Glick Family Funeral Home of Boca Raton handled funeral arrangements.
To read a Q&A with Countess de Hoernle on her 100th birthday, visit www.thecoastalstar.com.
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