Vera Sickinger

Vera was born in Dresden Germany. She is a refuge and survivor who fled Berlin, Germany with the Kindertransport on July 4, 1939. Most of her family was murdered by the Nazis.

Vera was graduated from the College of Arts and Crafts, Birmingham England, the largest art school in Europe, where she won a five year scholarship.

She left London for New York City in the early 1950’s where she became a very successful business woman opening her won advertising studio. She was one of the first female art directors in New York City, and she would turn heads when walking into an almost all male office. She later changed careers in New York, and she became a very successful graphic Illustrator drawing ads for national publications including the New York Times.

She moved to San Diego in 1985 where she became an award winning artist winning over 100 national and local awards.

Among the 100 awards, she has been previously awarded the following honors:

Andy Award of Distinction 1979 Advertising Club of New York

Signature Member Pastel Society of America PSA

Signature Member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast PSWC

Distinguished Pastellist of the West Coast DP-PSWC

Signature Member Pastel Society of New Mexico PSNM

Fellow, American Artists Professional League NYC

Since 1992 Vera has been juried in the San Diego County Pair at least 20 consecutive years winning numerous first, second, honorable mention and donor awards.

Vera was previously a member of the San Diego Portrait Society, La Jolla Art Association, and San Diego Artist’s Guild and numerous out of San Diego area art associations.

Thanks go out to the wonderful staff of Lightbridge Hospice, Ohr Ami, including case manager Jeanette RN, Rabbi Ralph Dalin, Dr. Danilychev, social worker Kristen and others for the wonderful care given to Vera and her husband in her final days. Thank you to the caregivers of Comfort Keepers and to Mike, Manager Abundant Home Care, Poway, Ca for his extraordinary help.

Thanks also to the extraordinary and excellent care given to Vera by Dr. Alicia Benjamin, Scripps Clinic PIMC in her final year.

A thank you to the people of England, the community of England and Germany and to the Quakers and others that saved Vera’s life and the lives of 10,000 mostly Jewish children on the Kindertransport prior to World War 2.

A final thanks to the United States of America for giving Vera THE AMRICAN DREAM.

Donations can be made in Vera’s name to the Jewish Family Service San Diego or the Scripps Health Foundation Scripps Clinic.

Arrangements under the direction of El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley FD 1260, San Diego, CA.