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A Tribute to Greta Schoeman (Founder of The Highway Hospice)

A Tribute to Greta Schoeman (Founder of The Highway Hospice)

Date: 2014-11-14

IN OUR HEARTS

We thought of you with love today,

But that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday.

And days before that too.

We think of you in silence.

We often speak your name.

Now all we have is memories.

And your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake.

With which we'll never part.

God has you in his keeping.

We have you in our heart.

Rose de Leon

Where does one begin, when describing a lady of immense courage, determination dedication and care? Greta trained as a hospice nurse at the Sir Michael Sobell House in Oxford then returned to establish South Africa's first hospice in 1982.

The Greta that so many of us have come to know over the past 32 years since the inception of Highway Hospice will know her as someone who gave selflessly of herself and the guest cottage in her home. Some of her nursing friends became volunteers to assist with the fundraising as well as in the terminal care of 183 patients of whom 29 were cared for in her home before enough funds had been raised to purchase the first building in 1984 and was able to accommodate 7 patients.

Through the determination, fundraising and hard work of all the volunteers who assisted Greta in realising her dream, the Hospice expanded into purchasing another property which housed the administration and over the years 59 Locksley Drive in Sherwood, has provided Palliative Care to people with an advanced incurable disease.

Greta was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II when she was awarded the MBE in recognition of her work and also received the Paul Harris Award from the Rotary Association. Greta recently also received the 'Living Legend' Award from the eThekwini Municipality.

Message from Linda Webb (CEO Highway Hospice)

It is with great sadness that I have to advise you that our beloved Greta Schoeman passed way this morning - Sunday 9th November at The Ascot Park Hospital surrounded by her family. Our deepest condolences to Sheila, Greta's sister, Kenny and Mandy her much loved children and their families.

Greta was loved by so many people at Hospice. She was truly a 'Living Legend'. It is impossible to measure the extent to which she has affected - emotionally, spiritually and practically - the lives of thousands of people, many of whom had never met her and maybe never even knew she existed.

She was such a strong and feisty lady who fought her illness to the end. Words cannot express how much she meant to all of us. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.