Vera was born on January 19, 1944 during the latter stages of World War 2 to her parents Frantisek (Frank) Bronec and Vera Broncova (Kleinova) in the town of Prerov, Czechoslovakia. She was named after her mother, making her own maiden name also Vera Broncova. Raised in a close family with her two sisters Eva and Mila, she grew up in communist eastern Europe during a very difficult time in that country, but always made sure to create treasured memories with her family. Vera was drawn to gymnastics and music, both of which she excelled at. She told me a fantastic story once where she vaulted over a tall fence to impress a boy she liked, and she reported that it seemed to work!

The second chapter. After attending primary school, Vera took her first job as a travel agent. Her path eventually crossed with that of Terry Theodore, who was an American touring Europe and had somehow managed to get himself into Czechoslovakia. Terry received travel assistance from Vera and was quickly drawn in by her lovely personality and great looks, so much so that they maintained contact after he traveled back home to America. Vera corresponded faithfully with Terry for quite some time, until Terry worked up the necessary courage to ask for her hand in marriage. Being a traditionalist, Vera's father also had to approve of this union, but ultimately did give his blessing. By 1966 Vera had received the needed permissions from both governments to move to the USA for a marriage visa, and she lived with Terry in a variety of locations early on such as Philadelphia and Michigan as Terry worked to get tenure and Vera continued her studies.

Being exceptionally bright, Vera worked through her doctoral studies and earned her PhD in Linguistics, adding mastery of a full 7 languages along the way. She moved around the country with Terry until they were in Pullman, WA and that is where she gave birth to her first and only child, Stephen Theodore. A few more moves to Lethbridge, Alberta Canada, and Forest Grove, OR followed until Terry secured tenure at UNCW in Wilmington, NC. The young family moved to Wilmington and lived there until 1983, when Vera took Stephen and moved back to the Pacific Northwest after separating from Terry.

Vera's third chapter took place in Pullman, WA with a short break in Seattle, WA before eventually settling in Pullman for the rest of her life. She raised Stephen with love and grace, making sure his needs were always met and that he always had the best role model possible. Vera reunited with old friend Jan Kucera, a renowned mathematician from Washington State University, and their shared Czech lineage ensured a very strong overlap of values and ideals. Her divorce from Terry was complete in 1983, and she and Stephen would now be living with Jan in his family home on Clifford Street in Pullman. She married Jan in September of 1984 in a small but meaningful ceremony.

As mentioned previously, Vera worked as a travel agent through most of her career, and she had the great fortune to work for some amazing people along the way. In a world before the internet, travel agents were the way that you could inquire about the best places to see and experience, and Vera was never short of amazing recommendations. Vera enjoyed hosting dinner parties, intellectual conversations, and most of all just having a great time being herself. She loved to sing and dance, and to see her in her element doing those things was a pure joy.

Vera's fourth chapter is a peaceful one marked by retirement after a long career of distinguished service to others. She and Jan traveled the world, mostly by cruise ships, and enjoyed their time together on Clifford Street. She enjoyed meeting all the dogs (and cats) of the neighborhood on regular walks, and she rewarded the dogs by giving them little milk bones. Before long all the dogs greatly looked forward to her daily visits, and were trained to respond to her in order to get their special treats.

Vera's fifth chapter is one that I'd very much like to forget. She was slowly taken from all of us by dementia, and this started in 2021 and came to a head in 2023 when she required expert care to manage her situation. Her decline worsened and the vibrant woman we all loved so much was taken away, replaced only by someone who could communicate with their eyes. Fortunately, she wasn't done making new friends and many of her friends over the past couple of years have managed to take my breath away in their pure love of her. She was surrounded by love until her final moments on October 18, 2026, and she passed with the grace that you'd only expect from one of the very best of us. Now her pain is over and her spirit has been set free, which is a great comfort to all who knew her.

Vera is survived by her son Stephen, her daughter-in-law Laura, her sisters Eva and Mila, her nephew Tom, and her niece Eva.

A celebration of Vera's life will be held on November 22nd in Pullman at a location to be determined, and if you knew her you are absolutely welcome to attend.