Vera Maloff was born into a Doukhobor family who lived on a market garden farm in Thrums, British Columbia. She studied at Selkirk College in Castlegar, obtained a teaching certificate from Notre Dame University in Nelson and received her BEd and Diploma in Guidance Studies from the University of British Columbia. Vera taught in the Nelson and Castlegar school districts for over thirty years while raising four children. After retiring, Vera began to record family stories passed down from generations through her mother. Her writing reflects the influence of her grandparents, who were active in the peace movement and befriended American draft resistoers, alternative healing practitioners, and social justice advocates who were regular visitors to their farm.

Vera lives with her partner Steve Denisoff in the community of Shoreacres on the Slocan River, where she continues the family traditions of gardening, singing in Doukhobor community choirs, participating in peace gatherings and cooking groups.