Ann Gasque Depta

“Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us.” – Maya Angelou On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the magnificent Ann Gasque Depta passed from the earthly realm to whatever lies beyond. She was 88 years old. Her loving daughter, Laura, was with her and holding her hand. Now she is finally free of the body and mind that had been ravaged by dementia – a disease that claims far, far too many of our strong and brilliant elders. Ann grew up in the small town of Marion, SC in a close-knit and loving family where education and an appreciation of art and beauty were valued. She was athletic, artistic, and academic. She played basketball and softball – often hitting the ball out of the field! She played piano and had a beautiful singing voice, which was still beautiful even in her later years. She was a member of many choirs during her life, most notably the MN Chorale and the Bach Society. She even sang a little opera. She was an excellent student and a life-long intellectual. She graduated valedictorian of her class at Marion High School and with honors from Columbia College in SC where she had her undergraduate studies in English. She later obtained a Masters Degree in Instructional Systems from the University of Minnesota. Ann went on to become a music teacher and an English teacher, eventually becoming head of the English department at the prestigious Blake private school in Hopkins, MN. It wasn’t enough for her though. Ann wanted a bigger and more fulfilling life, so she put herself through graduate school while working and raising two children on her own. She then began to work in business where she taught team building, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Eventually, she was offered a position at First Union Bank in Charlotte, NC, which brought her from Minnesota to Charlotte. Ann loved Charlotte! She lived there for over 30 years and made countless friends, mentored numerous young businesswomen, and changed lives with her work. In 1986, Ann started her own consulting business, Meridian Consulting Group. She was a trailblazer. One of the first women to carve out and create a career in teaching “people skills.” Ann had three great passions in her life – people, hiking, and music. In Charlotte, she was active in many groups including Women Executives and Charlotte Chamber Music. She was also devotedly supportive of her daughter and son-in-law in their theatrical endeavors. She created, or participated in, several social groups, most notably the Hip Hikers – a women’s hiking group that met once a month to explore NC and SC hiking trails. She was a world traveler and took several hiking/walking trips both in the US and abroad, traveling to California, New Mexico, Maine, France, England, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, and New Zealand! Ann is survived by her daughter, Laura Depta Peal, and her son-in-law, Stan Peal, as well as her sister, Dorothy Smith, her sister-in-law Alice Gasque, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Tom and Margaret Gasque, her son, Paul Depta, and both of her brothers, Tom Gasque, Jr., and Reaves Gasque. Celebrations of Life are planned in both Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC for autumn 2024. Details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ann’s honor to her Alma Mater, Columbia College, which remains a place that nurtures young people, helping them to excel in life. Columbia College 1301 Columbia College Drive Columbia, SC 29203 800.277.1301

Ann Gasque Depta

July 12, 1936 - September 11, 2024