Planting Seeds for Generations
The impact of philanthropy at Heritage is often rooted in personal stories. Paul and Angelita Sherman's lifelong devotion to gardens has blossomed into a legacy that will enrich Heritage for generations. Through Paul's thoughtful estate planning, their shared love of beauty and community lives on.
Paul's love for gardening began with his mother, Marjorie, who tended a garden so beautiful it inspired his young wife, Angelita. Originally from Mindanao, Philippines, Angelita immigrated to the U.S. in 1968. Eager to learn, she absorbed everything Marjorie taught her, and she and Paul became avid readers of gardening books.
After relocating from Rhode Island, Paul and Angelita settled in Norton, MA, where they transformed their home and garden. Paul renovated the house and built pathways using Pennsylvania fieldstone and bluestone, while Angelita lovingly cultivated the garden, taking pride in every flower and triumphing over challenges—like the red beetle invasion—with determined grace.
Over the years, the couple visited nurseries throughout Connecticut and Maine. Angelita, who "ruled her garden with an iron fist and a velvet glove," was also a talented bowling, a devoted hummingbird watcher, and a loyal Patriots fan. She worked in the medical field with Ciba-Corning, Bayer, and Siemens, all while raising three children and staying active in the local Filipino community.
Paul, a traveling software accountant, supported the family while often working abroad. Their marriage spanned 33½ joyful years, filled with shared passions and deep family ties. They discovered Heritage Museums & Gardens when a trip to Coastal Maine Botanical Garden proved too far. Enchanted by its charm, they became regular visitors, drawn especially to the annual rhododendron festival and the wide variety of hydrangeas.
Angelita passed away in June 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. In her memory, Paul generously funded the Hydrangea Garden Expansion with its water fountain, gracious hydrangea and mixed border plantings, and crushed shell pathways, wishing for visitors to enjoy the garden's beauty and the peaceful sound of running water. This tribute reflects the joy Angelita found in gardens and the peace she brought to others.
Her legacy continues. In 2023, Paul included Heritage in his estate plan alongside the couple's favorite human service and global charities. He and Angelita always believed in supporting institutions that enrich communities.
Heritage is deeply grateful for the Shermans' generosity. And to Angelita—your hydrangeas bloom brighter each season. Paul's gift will help Heritage enhance its gardens and collections, inspiring future generations just as you inspired so many in your lifetime.
The Shermans remind us that a love for gardens can grow into a lasting gift for others. Their generosity ensures that Heritage will continue to inspire, educate, and delight for generations to come. You, too, can create a legacy that blooms beyond your lifetime—consider including Heritage in your estate plans and help nurture the beauty and joy that meant so much to Paul and Angelita.