Cherie taught staff a new word — “goopshoot” — which, she says with a laugh, means “a whole lot!” That sense of humor and creativity shines through everything she does. She loves to can and dehydrate fruits and vegetables, bake bread, and make meals and soups in a jar. Her cozy home always smells delicious. For years, she and her dear friend Susan, now in hospice, shared countless hours — Susan loved to shop for groceries, and Cherie loved to cook, so they’d do both together. Losing that companionship since Susan moved to hospice has been very hard. When Susan first moved kitty-corner across the street, Cherie knocked on her door, and the two became instant, lifelong friends.
Cherie is the eldest of five siblings and the proud mother of seven. After high school in North St. Paul, Cherie married Ken and raised seven children, then worked in group homes supporting women with developmental disabilities — work she deeply loved. Having grown up surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a large family, she now experiences some loneliness as life has grown quieter.
Cherie values genuine conversation. She isn’t looking for idle chatter but a friend who wants to talk about real life and how we live it. She loves to be inspired by other people’s ideas, dreams, and aspirations while sharing her own. She remains close with her sister through frequent phone calls and visits.
Cherie is nostalgic and takes great pride in her tidy, welcoming home, filled with her parents’ artwork. Both were talented painters who, during retirement in Arizona, pursued Indigenous and Norwegian folk art.
In her free time, she enjoys scrapbooking, antiquing, exploring thrift stores, and going out for coffee, plays, concerts, or holiday lights. Cherie looks forward to meaningful companionship and shared adventures. She is a non-smoker and has no pets. She is open to children accompanying her new companion for half of their visits.
