Cherie McCullah - Founder

10/21/56-3/7/19

While still in her early twenties, Cherie had a dream that she would one day start an orphanage that would be home to 100 latin children. From that day on, the Missouri native dedicated her life to learning all she could, earning degrees in early childhood education, Spanish and social studies. For decades, Cherie worked with children both in the US and around the world, never wavering from the dream God had given her. She moved to Costa Rica in 2008 and founded Residencia de Vida four years later. In 2016, she founded the 501c3, Residence of Life, Inc. to support the home. Sadly, in early 2018 she was forced to return to the United States after being diagnosed with cancer and in March of 2019 she passed away after a year long battle with the disease.

Residence of Life will forever remember her for her boldness, courage and sacrifice in paving the way for this ministry that has changed, and will continue to change, the lives of so many children. Our 18 and older girls’ home was named Cherie’s House by our alumni in honor of her life.