A remarkable 72-year marriage and a past link with showbiz fame have ended with the death of Southend's Vera Roper - a quiet, family-loving woman who found international fame as "Madam Vere," piano accompanist to radio, TV and film star Frankie Howerd.

On Monday morning family, friends and admirers will say farewell to Vera at the Southend Salvation Army Citadel.

Here, for many years after her long career in the theatre and as the butt of Howerd's sarcastic humour in early TV appearances, she ignored the pain of arthritic hands to play the piano to packed gatherings.

Vera and husband Alf, 93, a sergeant in the old county borough police force, were staunch salvationists.

He had arrived in Southend from the East End as a baby when his father, a Sally Army insurance rep, was moved to the booming seaside resort. She had been born in the town and played piano at an early age, first at St Mary's School in Prittlewell, then at Westcliff High.

They met at Southend's Bandstand and married in March 1929 at Chelmsford Avenue Congregational Church.

She was at the piano at the Argyll Hall in Westcliff when a lanky comedian, then based at Shoebury Garrison, walked in and asked if she would accompany one of his comic numbers. His name was Frank Howerd. He became a close pal of Vera and Alf and after the war, when he had become Frankie Howerd, he asked her to join his act.

She appeared at the keyboard, a foil to his adlibs and asides, at the Palladium, in various London venues, on radio shows and TV.

But, years later, Alf explained with pride: "Vera was first and foremost a wife and mother. For her, the family always came first."

Published Friday November 23, 2001