Sharon and Larry Beeman

Arlington, Virginia residents Sharon and Larry Beeman have been married for almost 60 years, sharing a life full of adventure, love, and giving back. Their story began in Rochester, New York at an amusement park on Lake Ontario when Larry spotted Sharon on a merry-go-round. That night, a connection sparked that would lead to a lifetime of partnership and shared purpose. Decades later, their love continues to inspire their mission of making a difference. Now in their 80s, Sharon and Larry have found countless ways to support the causes they care about, with the American Heart Association (AHA) holding a special place in their hearts.

Their connection to the AHA began with Sharon’s personal experience of having a family history of heart disease. Sharon herself has Atrial Fibrillation and a pacemaker. "Both sides of my family have heart issues,” Sharon shares. "Both of my grandmothers died of strokes, and my grandfather and father passed away from heart attacks." Knowing her family history, Sharon has proactively cared for her heart health for years. Biking, skiing, travelling, and boating have kept Sharon and Larry active. They have a bike trail right behind their house, which Sharon often used for her daily 25-mile rides. As Larry jokes, "I learned to cook because she was always out biking!"

The Beemans' generosity and commitment to heart and brain health are reflected in their decision to make a planned estate gift to the AHA. "Quite a few years ago, we decided to include charities in our will, knowing we had to focus our giving. The AHA was one of our chosen causes, " said Larry.

They are particularly passionate about the AHA’s research and how it can advance new techniques and treatments to save lives. Their legacy gift was inspired by knowing their generosity could fund future groundbreaking research long after their lives. "We want to see it progress and keep going, and anything we can do to help, we will," says Sharon.