THE outgoing chief executive of the Highway Hospice, Linda Webb, began her remarkable journey with the organisation after a sudden turn of events forced the cancellation of a long-awaited 4×4 adventure across Africa with her husband.

When she retired after working 25 years at a bank, Linda and her husband Simon were eager to embark on their dream Cape to Cairo trip, having equipped their Land Cruiser for the grand expedition.

But their retirement dreams were abruptly paused when Simon was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Faced with the uncertainty of his health, Webb said she had to make a heart-wrenching decision to cancel the trip and eventually sell their beloved Land Cruiser to focus on caring for her husband during his cancer battle.

Amid these trying times, Linda discovered a job opening at The Highway Hospice, seeking a CEO with a strong financial background.

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With her wealth of experience in finance, the position seemed like a natural fit. Despite a challenging interview process, which Linda recalls with fond humour, and which included a request for handwritten references from her former boss in Nigeria, she secured the role and began her impactful tenure at the Hospice.

She said her time at the Highway Hospice was marked by both triumphs and tragedies.

“I navigated the organisation through difficult moments, including the passing of my beloved Simon in 2015 and the subsequent challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, looting, and flooding.”

Most notably, she played a pivotal role in the decision to close the in-patient unit, which was unsustainable due to the financial strain caused by the pandemic. In its place, Linda shifted focus to the home care unit, expanding it to serve over 500 patients each month.

“This shift allowed The Highway Hospice to continue providing vital palliative care to terminally ill patients across multiple areas, reaching many who otherwise would not have access to such care,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey at the Hospice, Linda pays tribute to the Highway Hospice founder, Greta Schoeman, whom she described as a remarkable woman who exemplified compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to caring for those facing terminal illness.

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“Driven by an immense sense of compassion for those suffering with cancer and other debilitating terminal illnesses, Greta, a qualified paediatric nurse who further trained as a palliative care nurse, started a hospice in her own home to care for them. She notably obtained an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham

Palace in honour of her work with terminally ill patients,” said Linda.

Inspired by this legacy of selflessness, Webb harnessed her passion for helping others by continuing to steer the Hospice in a positive direction, overcoming challenges brought on by unforeseen events like Covid-19.

As Linda entered her well-deserved retirement as of January 2025, she said she looks forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and her Friday lunch group.

“My passion for animals will continue to fuel my philanthropic work, and I am excited to explore a new interest in archery.”

The Highway Hospice staff extended their deepest gratitude to Linda for her incredible service as CEO over the past 13 years. “Her leadership, resilience, and compassion have left an indelible mark on The Highway Hospice, and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”

The organisation said it has warmly welcomed John’o Olds as the new CEO.

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