Greetings from Down Under. Thank you very much to all of you who have shared gratitude and memories of life, love, creativity and laughter with Veronica. It has been a healing balm. Indeed she has been a shining light for many across the globe, and will continue to inspire. When I received the news of her passing via WhatsApp yesterday, it was a deep shock. Many tears have been shed. She is a soul sister 🙏💕🌟 . The last time we spent time together was at an afternoon tea in her London flat in the summer of 2018 with a few of her local friends, whom she claimed were family. Of course! She lived the experience of our oneness as well as each person's unique gifts! Although our contact has been intermittent since we met at a Storytelling Symposium at Emerson College, Sussex, in 1994 - sharing our stories 😍 - whenever we have connected my experience of her as a friend and colleague continually deepened. This is precious, which I hold in my heart. Stand-out memories include a Playback performance she facilitated in London in which an 'ordinary' member of the audience shared her wish to forgive the murderer of a family member, attending a Playback training weekend with actors of all ages and cultures, witnessing her newly created 'Face' show, and sharing news of our creative endeavours. 'Oh Sweetie, that's marvellous!!' she would say. North meets South, East meets West. More recently, our deep concerns for Mother Nature have been shared, and I anticipate that she'll be there to support our ongoing challenges 🙏. Love you beautiful, courageous, passionate, resilient, playful, inspiring Veronica! Thank you for being such a special part of my life.
Jo-anne Sarre, Artistic Director, Ink Pot Arts (South Australia)
12th May 2023