When Sherla Alberola moved to Fox Hill Village in late September 2024, she brought with her a lifetime of stories — and a surprising talent for moving. In fact, this artist and entrepreneur has moved 62 times in her life. That’s not just relocation — it’s a world-class tour of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity.
Sherla’s journey began in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The daughter of a Budweiser truck driver, Sherla came from humble beginnings — but she never let that define her. The first in her family to attend college, she took a bold leap shortly after graduation in the form of a one-way ticket to Europe on a converted warship sailing from Quebec to Rotterdam. Her only plan? Visit the Brussels World’s Fair. What followed was a life of extraordinary twists.
A job hunt led her to Germany, where she landed a teaching role at Berlitz, the global language school. It was there she met the man who would become her husband — despite the small detail that he didn’t speak English. Nine months later, they were married in London. After a year in Algeria waiting on a visa, the couple eventually settled in Detroit and returned to working for Berlitz. That marked the beginning of decades spent on the move with two children in tow and frequent transfers as her husband rose to become President and CEO of Berlitz Worldwide. But that was only Act One.
As technology evolved, Sherla and her husband saw an opportunity to revolutionize language education. They left Berlitz and launched their own company — first called Linguatec, later renamed Bridge. Sherla was the creative engine, developing curriculum, writing textbooks, and training teachers in the Direct Method. Based in Denver, their reach extended across Latin America. For years, they spent winters in Brazil, working marathon hours from dawn until late into the night.
Sherla didn’t love business, but she proved she could lead when she had to. “I found out I could do things I didn’t know I could do,” she says. That quiet strength would serve her well later in life, especially when her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. They eventually relocated to a continuing care retirement community in California, but life still had more chapters to write.
Sherla’s soul has always been that of an artist. Whether in Salida, Colorado — an artists’ enclave north of Santa Fe — or in Princeton, NJ, where she first found success, Sherla has expressed herself through pastels, watercolors, collage, and mixed media. Her apartment at Fox Hill Village is a curated gallery of her own vibrant works, alongside pieces from other artists she admires. Creativity continues to be her deepest source of satisfaction.
These days, Sherla also finds joy in writing her memoir, diving into genealogy, and playing her grand piano. And if the activity team at Fox Hill has their way, the community will host a gallery showing of her incredible artwork right here on campus.
So how did this globe-trotting linguist and artist end up in Westwood, Massachusetts? Like many residents, Sherla followed family ties. Her daughter’s mother-in-law, Dianne Russell, moved to Fox Hill Village in 2022. The whole family was so impressed by the care and community that they encouraged Sherla to join. She says it’s been one of her best moves yet — no small praise from someone who’s made 62 of them.
“Fox Hill Village is truly the best,” she says. “The people here make a conscious effort to include everyone. And yes, the food and entertainment are a big plus, too!”
With her warmth, wisdom, and creative spirit, Sherla has become part of what makes this community so special. And while she may have left behind many addresses over the years, it’s clear she’s finally found home.