Countess named patroness of Order of St. John; donates $100G to HomeSafe

By Barbara McCormick

BOCA RATON — Members, dignitaries and friends of the Order of St.
John, Knights Hospitaller (Malta) gathered recently at the Royal Palm
Yacht and Country Club home of Commander Isabelle K. Paul for a
ceremony and reception honoring South Florida philanthropist Dame
Henrietta Countess de Hoernle.

A long-time member of the Order of St. John, the Countess de
Hoernle was named “Patroness of The Americas Priory and the OSJ
Commandery of Florida” for her lifetime of charitable giving. Lt. Grand
Commander Prior Ann Van Ness of New York presented the gilt-
framed award.

The 99 year old Countess surprised assembled guests by
announcing a gift of $100,000 to be donated through her beloved
OSJ Malta to HomeSafe. A Palm Beach County nonprofit
organization with five locations, including one in Boca Raton, it
focuses on helping victims of child abuse and domestic violence.

After visiting HomeSafe in Boca Raton, the Countess said, “I just
knew that this gift would make a difference in the lives of countless
young people.”

Dame Isabelle Paul, Commander; Dame Alyce Erickson, Hospitaller
and Chevalier Bob Moore, Treasurer, joined the Countess de
Hoernle on the return visit to present the $100,000 check to Boca
Raton’s HomeSafe CEO Matthew Ladika and COO Linda Wyckoff. A
celebration luncheon followed.

Headquartered in Valletta, Malta, The Order of St. John of Jerusalem,
Knights Hospitaller was founded in 1048 A.D. in Jerusalem and is
one of the oldest Orders of Chivalry in existence. Members dedicate

themselves to serving the sick and the poor of the world and operate
in more than a dozen countries.

The OSJ Commandery of Florida is located in Boca Raton and
is comprised of 18 knights and dames who have pledged nearly
$200,000 this year to its selected charities in Palm Beach County.