Peter Adrian Van Winden

Peter Adrian Van Winden passed away on July 31 2023, peacefully in his sleep, immersed in God's love and mercy, and surrounded by his family at the age of 94.

Peter was born July 17, 1929, in the small town of Pijnacker, The Netherlands to Jacobus and Maria Van Winden. At a young age, tragedy and trials were monumental in setting the course of his early life. Peter and his family faced the tragic death of his baby brother, Arnold, and his mother just before WWII. With his father, stepmother Wilhelmina, and siblings (Helen, Adrian, Jean, and Tine), he endured the trials of farming in Nazi occupied Holland. With low flying war planes flying over their home and lands, the family harvested produce at dawn and occasionally dispatched swine in the veil of night out of sight of the occupying Nazi's. As the eldest son, Peter, would deliver the days harvest to the produce market, navigating the barge of produce through the canals. This once shy 12-year-old boy began his lifelong journey of faith and fortitude.

After the war, Peter was 18 and decided not to pursue a life in his war-torn country. He and his father set sail to America landing in New York en route to California, as one of the many immigrants looking for hope and opportunity. With humility, determination, desperation, hard work and many sacrifices, Peter and his father became gardeners at Beaulieu Vineyards. While Peter continued to work and save his money, his father returned to Holland and brought the rest of the family to Napa in hopes of a new life.

After his tour of duty in the Korean War, Peter, with support from his father and siblings, led the family in what was to become his life's work and legacy, Van Winden's Garden Center. On a trip down to what once was Dutch dairy county in southern California, Peter met his lovely Dutch bride, Johanna, who was in the novitiate discerning a vocation as Catholic nun. They fell instantly in love. They married in 1959, and within ten years Peter's wife Johanna had given birth to six towhead girls. They raised their girls in the Catholic faith and were active and charitable in the St. Apollinaris Church and School community.

With a smile and a twinkle in his eye, Peter worked hard in all aspects of the garden center while Johanna, using her accounting skills, ran the office and raised the children. Though the hours were long, his dedication and frugality produced fruits of opportunity. He took the girls on summer trips, piling everyone in the family van and driving for hours and days through the western states listening to the same eight-track tapes. He was a patient man who loved his family.

Later in life, he and Johanna traveled with the Master Nurseryman's Association and visited many botanical gardens throughout the world. Family was always first for Peter, but Van Winden's Garden Center was his extended family. Much of his time was spent there. He loved his job. It was his hobby and his social life combined. He was passionate about plants. He loved learning about them, sourcing them, and teaching others how to care for them. He enjoyed spending time with his customers and was a father figure to much of the staff. By example, he led five of his six daughters in running the business with four continuing the nursery legacy to this day, but the legacy of his cheerful spirit will be treasured by all who loved him.

Peter is survived by his wife, Johanna; his daughters: Marie Reis (Win), Anne Marden (Mark), Theresa Staggs (John), Catherine Giovannoni (Michael), Dorothy Campainha (Darren), and Petra Sullivan (Joe). He is survived by twelve grandchildren: Tommy and Gordon Reis, Mark and Andy Marden, Peter (Mimi), Maria, and Anna Staggs, Lauren, Jacob, Valentino Giovannoni, Lucas Campainha, Niles Fennikoh (Emily); and great-granddaughter, Aubree. He also leaves behind his sisters: Jean Coyle and Tine (Jim) Lloyd; and so many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday, August 7, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Saint Apollinaris Catholic Church. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, August 8, 2023at 10:45 a.m. at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, 3700 Lassen Street, Napa CA, 94558.

Memorial Gifts may be made to St Apollinaris Parish. stapollinarisparish.org (707) 257-2555.

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