Vera who recently celebrated her 100 birthday was a well-known patron of the arts in Durban. She founded Friends of Music in 1982 when the city had disbanded its orchestra and lovers of classical music were left in the lurch. With sheer dogged determination and commitment, she persuaded funders, donors and sponsors to support her in her endeavour to bring top class soloists to Durban Forty-three years later the organisation she founded is still providing a platform for the very best of local and international solo and chamber music artists and providing world class entertainment for the lovers of fine music in Durban.