I have known V for 20 years. When she first came to S'pore, we worked together on taste genes in Bill Chia's lab at IMCB. Thro' the years, we have become fast friends. V has a sharp intellect, a great sense of humor which never fails to endear her to all who interacted with her, and is quietly ambitious as a scientist. However, to me, her humane side shines thro' more than anything else. She's always generous with her time and genuinely concern abt. her friends' welfare. Thro' out these years, I have always shared with her my heartaches of bringing up my two boys (who know her as Aunty Veronica and together, we mourn her passing). Our friendship continues even after I left Drosophilia neurogenetics in 1996. I wished though she has spent more time taking care of herself. For as a geneticist, and knowing her own family history, she could have picked up the signs earlier... No words can describe how we feel at the loss of a true friend. But all who are born will go one day. Let us remember by celebrating V's life. May her virtues and accomplishements continue to inspire us to scale greater heights first as decent human beings in whatever we choose to excel in. Thank You Vijay and all her friends at TIFR, NCBS for taking care of V to the last moments and beyond. Peh Yean and family.