Linda Seltzer Yawitz

Originally from St. Louis, I spent my early years visiting my father's family in the San Fernando Valley. I studied psychology at Washington University and subsequently worked at Washington University School of Medicine in Child Psychiatry.

In 1986 my former husband and I moved to Santa Barbara where I met Tom Fly who invited me to a Hospice of Santa Barbara "get acquainted" luncheon. It was really an eye-opening experience for me having just lost my father and mother nine months apart. My father-in-law died the day before my father, and a month later my uncle died followed by a cousin. I was too familiar with death. During my initial meeting with the fabulous HSB Executive Director Charlie Zimmer, I was asked about my family to which I responded with the list of losses in just one year, plus the loss of my brother who died when he was 40 years old in 1963. I think Charlie thought I was there to sign up as a client.

Two years later I was asked to join the Hospice of Santa Barbara Board of Directors and was honored to be a member for ten years. My time on the board included serving on the Executive Committee and as Board President from 1995-1997. HSB was the first board I served on and it will always be my number one.

The work being done by the Hospice of Santa Barbara staff and volunteers is crucial for the people of this community, and my involvement as a HSB volunteer and donor continues to be an important part of my legacy. I recently updated my trust and Hospice of Santa Barbara is, of course, included.