Anita M. (Case) Case-Figgins

On January 5, 1971 we were blessed by Anita’s arrival into this world. If asked to describe her in  one word, I think most of us would agree that FIERCE would be at the top of the list. Fierce because  she was intense and ferocious but had a heartfelt and powerful intensity about her. With this  fierceness, she faced being a daughter, sibling, wife, mother and friend head on. Others would use  words like: fearless, hell on wheels, loving, companion and Grand Champion. For all those who  have met her, you probably came away with a first impression that fit into one of these categories: I  love her, I loather her or I don’t know what I think about her—yet. If Anita were here today to hear  these words spoken about her, she would most likely narrow her eyes and her lips would move into  a smirk—not really a smile but not really a frown either. In this look you could see the warrior that  was within. She would not back down from anyone or anything—just ask cancer. 

After her family, Anita’s greatest joy was her love of horses. Anita’s love and harmony with a horse  was unparalleled. Anita owned 5 horses in her lifetime. It is with them that she found the peace we  all search for. In a world where chaos reigns supreme in our everyday lives, Anita could walk into a  barn and with each passing step down the hay strewn floor, you could see the stress melt away from  her soul. For those of us who were lucky enough to see her with Norman, you watched as two  halves came together to make a whole. When she mounted up and began her walk, trot and canter  it was like watching a perfectly choreographed equine ballet. The movements seemed effortless, full  of grace, poise and on some very special days—simply magical. At a young age Anita fell off of her  horse during a competition. After making sure Anita was not injured, a man helped Anita get back  on her horse and told her she had two options. She could ask to be excused or she could ask to  pick up where she left off. Without hesitation Anita said she wanted to pick up where she left off.  That decision would become a creed she would come to live by: If life gets you down—get up and  pick up where you left off and show them just what you are made of. 

For those who may not have had the privilege to know Anita well, she grew up in the Winton/ Blossom area of Rochester, NY. She attended East High School and Monroe Community College.  Anita embraced her step into adulthood in 1990 when she began work at BJ’s Wholesale Club. Here  Anita excelled and dedicated 20 years of hard work showing her commitment and perseverance. As  luck would have it during her early years with BJ’s, she would meet Richard L. Figgins. A beautiful  friendship grew into more and on August 3, 1996 they were joined together by blood, bone and  spirit. On April 14, 1999 they were rewarded by one of the greatest gifts born of love, a daughter  Mikaela Marie. Upon Mikaela’s arrival Anita spoke these heartfelt words as an expression of her joy  at becoming a mother: “Love you everyday and twice on Sunday!” 

During her 50 years, Anita embraced her love of family, friends, pets, music, horses, collectibles,  crafting, travel and the Renaissance and Scottish/Irish Celtic Festivals. She made friends wherever  she went. Anita M. Case-Figgins will surely be missed by all. Not a single day will pass that we will  not remember her. She has impacted each and every one of us with her light, love and spirit.  Family, close friends and co-workers will surely miss her extraordinary baking skills and nobody will  ever take away her title of “Goodie Goddess”. Anita is predeceased by her parents Arthur S. Case  Sr. and Alice F. Case (Ake), her brother Arthur S. Case Jr. sister Lori Case and her grandparents. She  is survived by her husband Richard L. Figgins, daughter Mikaela M. Figgins, sister Rebeca Kates  (Case), nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Anita’s talents were truly limitless as she even found a way to help the masses travel through time.  One look at her in July and August and you find yourself wandering beside her and straight into  1585. To a quaint village called Warwick where citizens not far from London find themselves  enjoying a day of play and feasting. As fall drifts into winter and December approaches, Anita could  show you how to enjoy the early 19th century and life according Charles Dickens on a memorable  Christmas Eve. 

For those who loved her, their lives were forever changed on July 9, 2021. Anita left us to live among  the sky and become one of the brightest shining stars. She waged an epic battle one that even  Lagertha a Viking Warrior would be proud of, as she battled with abdominal cancer for over 6 years.  Anita passed peacefully at her home in North Rose, NY. There are many who helped Anita face her  long and arduous battle. The doctors and staff at Rochester General Hospital and The Lipson  Cancer Center. Many thanks go out to: Dr. M. Patel, Dr. M. McNally, Dr. S. Ettinghausen, Dr. Riggs,  PA Sarah Hoslop and Hospice of Wayne County. 

Anita was so amazed by all those who shared their love, care and support by visiting her at both her  home and the hospital, helping her get to treatments, checking in via Facebook, texting, phone calls  and heartfelt cards. She would never allow us to see her leaving as an ending. Anita would see her  life as an accomplishment at just how very far she had come. She would not want us to wallow in  our sadness and grief. Instead Anita would want us to remember these words from a childhood  classic that was one of her favorites: 

 “If there comes a day when we can’t be together,  

 keep me in your heart and I will stay there forever.” 

 —Winnie the Pooh  

The Figgins Family would like to remind you to keep an eye out on Facebook for details regarding 

Anita’s Celebration of Life and Ceilidh  

Spring of 2022

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