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Tryon– Anna Lucia Gasperi was born in Foggia (Puglia), Italy.  She was one of 11 children born to Antonio Gasperi and Palma (Fidelbo) Gasperi.  Anna’s early childhood was filled with a large, extended, loving family all strongly devoted to each other and their Catholic faith. Her teen years brought many changes into her life as WWII left its impact on Italy and the Gasperi family.  Although much of this impact was negative, in early 1944, as the American army occupied Foggia, a very positive event occurred.  A young GI, Floyd Henry Winn, an only child from the farmlands of Indiana, a strapping redhead standing 6’2” who spoke no Italian, caught sight of this Italian beauty. Anna stood 5’ tall with olive skin, black hair and spoke no English. As the Americans were winning the war, Floyd set out to win over Anna’s family and capture her heart.

For those of us who lived in the love of these 2 wonderful people, we have always believed that something amazing came out of something as horrible as a world war.  Floyd and Anna married in October of 1945 in a large Catholic ceremony in Foggia. They honeymooned in Naples before he returned to the States with his unit and she boarded a “war bride ship” (USAHS Algonquin) for her journey to her new home. She landed at Ellis Island on April 4, 1946, to begin her life in America.

Anna proudly became a United States citizen in 1951.

Anna and Floyd spent most of their lives living and working in Terre Haute, Indiana where they raised 4 children:  Anthony Otis Winn of N. Ft Myers, Florida; Palma Maria Winn Davis (Jack) of Columbus, NC; Floyd Henry Winn, Jr, (died 2020) (Bonnie) of Tryon, NC;  and John David Winn (Donna) Of Baton Rouge, LA.

In addition to her children, she is survived by 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

Floyd and Anna moved to Columbus, NC in 1999 to be near family.  They were active in their faith life at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon and made many dear friends from all walks of life.  Floyd passed away in August of 2005, 6 weeks before their 60th wedding anniversary.

Anna’s interests, in addition to her faith and family, were her passion for painting, pottery, cooking, and time spent with her vast number of friends.

Anna moved to White Oak Manor of Tryon where she became a favorite resident of the staff and fellow residents with her winning and infectious personality and beloved stories of her life. Her death on August 8, 2023, leaves a void in so many, many lives.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Please join us Monday, August 14, 2023, at 10:30 am at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, NC for a Rosary prayer service followed by a funeral Mass. The family will have a private burial the following day at Salisbury National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to The American Cancer Society or your local Hospice.

Mass intentions can be offered at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Tryon, NC.

Condolences to the family can be made to www.sandersfuneralandcremation.com.

Sanders Funeral Home
Columbus, NC.