Lore Schoenfeld

Lore Schoenfeld, 88, passed away peacefully at Vassar Hospital on April 12, 2026. She was born on December 10, 1937, in the medieval town of Öhringen, Germany, the daughter of Richard and Frida Denz.

Lore began her career working for the town of Öhringen where she grew up. Thereafter, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1956 and married the love of her life, Karlheinz Schoenfeld, in 1960.

In 1991, Lore gained a new lease on life, receiving a transplanted heart at the age of 54. We are so grateful to the donor family for giving Lore the gift of life. Through their tragedy and selflessness, we were blessed with Lore in our lives for another 34 years.

Lore was more than a homemaker. She was a woman of boundless love, generosity and strength, a true "tough cookie" who gave her whole heart to others.

Lore dedicated much of her life to helping others, including 20 years with the Girl Scouts. As a member of Mended Hearts Chapter 5, Lore made heart pillows and provided peer support to patients recovering from heart surgery at Vassar Hospital. Lore was a long-time member of Germania of Poughkeepsie and volunteered her time and potato salad expertise in the kitchen. She was also a member of the Steuben Society of America, Unit 167.

Lore was a devoted member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she served with the Altar Guild for many years. She found joy in singing with her community chorus, sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking and solving Sudoku puzzles - there wasn't one she couldn't complete.

Lore is survived by her four children: Fred, Ellen, Karen and Andrea, with her husband Bassel, and her brother Rolf Denz. She was predeceased by her husband Karlheinz and her brother Fritz Denz. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews in NC and Germany.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lore's memory to Mended Hearts Chapter 5, c/o 974 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. The family also encourages others to consider organ donation.

Lore's strength and resilience inspired all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A celebration of life honoring Lore will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 1pm at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 55 Wilbur Boulevard, Poughkeepsie, NY.

Life Looks Rosy 30 Years After Heart Transplant at Mount Sinai

https://www.mountsinai.org/about/patient-stories/life-looks-rosy-30-years-after-heart-transplant-at-mount-sinai