Born in the tiniest of towns in Italy, Annina Benassi was a giant to her friends, family, and to those who knew her. It all began for Annina atop a mountain near forests of chestnuts in San Pellegrinetto (Lucca), Italy.
She was the youngest of five children. She had three brothers and one sister. The family lived off the land in the truest form.
She met her late husband, Asperio, in Italy and was married in October 1936. She moved with her husband and became a resident of Gilroy, CA in 1937. The family purchased their ranch on Hecker Pass at this time. The family grew prunes, walnuts, cucumbers, and grapes.
Annina was both an active housewife and integral in all canning, gardening, and farming that took place. She had three boys, Angelo, Duilio (married to Sandra), and Sandro (deceased) and his former wife, Janet. She was also blessed with six grandchildren; Tony, Tara, Sam, Janae, Michael, and Dav! id, and seven great-grandchildren; Nicolas, Tyler, Syrus, Shay, Noelle, Chloi, and Luca. She was also cousin to numerous family in Italy.
She was a lifetime member of the Italian Catholic Federation and a 75 year Parishioner of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Gilroy.
While she had many talents, it was cooking that made her famous. She would make a legendary Panettone, Biscotti, and her pasta with “gravy” (homemade tomato sauce) was a family specialty. She had an infectious smile and a desire for life. Well into her nineties, Annina would prepare a feast for the entire family.
To her family, there was simply nothing Annina couldn’t do when she put her mind to it. When she may have called her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren “testa duro” (hard hear) a time or two, she learned that to succeed in life one must be persevering and a bit hard headed.
We Annina’s family would like to send a special “Thank You” to Dr. George Green and her caregivers Zeny Santa Cruz and Lilia Vargas.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2012, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 4th St., Gilroy. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 12:00 Noon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church followed by entombment at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Donations may be made to your favorite charity. Condolences can be made at www.HabingFamilyFuneralHome.com
