Dr. Lola Elisabeth Koerting

1924 - 2024

Gales Ferry - Dr. Lola Elisabeth Koerting passed away peacefully Jan. 19, 2024, just days before her 100th birthday, at her home in Gales Ferry. She was born Jan. 31, 1924, in Munich, Germany, to Dr. Bertha Keiffer and Dr. Johann Keiffer. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Fritz Koerting.

Lola grew up in Luxembourg, and spent her summers in Germany, on the Fraueninsel and its surrounding Alpen mountains. She attended high school in Munich, during World War II while also completing several years of an apprenticeship in agriculture. Once the universities reopened, Lola began her doctoral studies at the Technical University of Munich and completed her Ph.D. in agriculture in 1953.

Lola married Fritz Koerting in 1953, and shortly after, they emigrated to the United States. Lola immediately began her career as a scientist in the U.S. with New England Institute for Medical Research as their chief histologist. This was followed by three years as a research associate with the Yale School of Forestry. After taking time off to start their family, Lola returned to research at the New England Institute for Medical Research as a research fellow in cytogenetics. In 1975, Lola was able to return to her first love of plant breeding and plant cytogenetics as the geneticist for Brooklyn Botanical Garden where she was responsible for the Magnolia Breeding Program. One of Lola's greatest achievements was the development of a hardy yellow blossoming magnolia. This contribution has been recognized by the Magnolia Society which honored her with a Life-time Achievement Award.

In retirement, Lola continued her involvement with the Magnolia Society, as well as volunteering with the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford. She enjoyed the outdoors, travelling, gardening, horticulture, cooking, crafting, knitting, birdwatching and spending time with her family. Always the intellectual, she was known to quote from literary works in five languages. Lola loved learning about U.S. history and discussing world events with anyone brave enough to engage her.

Lola is survived by her daughter Claudia of Gales Ferry; son Walter and wife Fran of Shelton; grandchildren: Katrina, Daniel and wife Alisha, Stephen and wife Rebecca and Austin and wife Katie; along with seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held for Lola at 1 1a.m. Saturday, March 2, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Connecticut FoodShare (https://ctfoodshare.org/) in Lola's name.