With a few tears and a smile, the Kiggins family is saddened to announce that with a strong mind and amazing courage, Le Anne “Rusty” Kiggins passed peacefully in her home on the evening of December 8, 2022. She was surrounded by her biggest joy in life, her four children and family.
She was born in Portland, Oregon on September 20, 1934 to Leon Russum and Gertrude Webster Russum. Early in life Le Anne took on the nickname Rusty and then eventually became Grandma Rusty or sometimes simply Gram.
Rusty was raised in Vancouver, Washington, graduating from Vancouver High School in 1952. She was an avid athlete in the sport of tumbling. Along the way she met Anthony “Tony” Charles Kiggins, Jr. and the two were married early in 1955. Through unique circumstances, Tony was presented a career opportunity from his stepfather, but it had a catch. The opportunity was taking shape a world away in Clearwater, Florida. Packing up the family station wagon, Tony and Rusty and their infant son headed off, for what was supposed to be a one-year adventure, to the heat and humidity of The Sunshine State. Initially, they resided on the, then, sparsely populated Clearwater Beach. In 1957 they purchased a lot and built a home in the middle of a grapefruit orchard, that is now Belleair Bluffs. Shortly after arriving in Florida came two more sons and a daughter. It is in this home that Rusty dedicated her life to raising her four children and hosting her eight grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. Along the way she was very active in an untold number of activities to support her children, including Sunday school, Scouting, substitute teaching, cheerleading, dance, music, art, and every sport available at the time. For over 20 years she operated her own beauty shop, the Rustic Lock in Belleair Bluffs. In what little spare time she found she loved to draw, paint, refinish furniture, maintain her colorful garden and manage and maintain a slew of rental properties. And, every neighborhood feline found shelter and a meal at her doorstep. Mom had what seemed to be an endless supply of positive energy, involving herself in all the projects and events of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Rusty was a pillar of a moral and conservative lifestyle, totally committed to her family. Her positive attitude was contagious and she could always find the good in people.
Rusty was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Tony Kiggins, and is survived by her four children, Anthony Lee Kiggins (Susan), Timothy Joe Kiggins, Thomas Roy Kiggins (Jody), Teresa Lynne Wozniak (Alan), eight grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.
As you might expect, Tony, Tim, Tom and Teresa, although deeply saddened, find themselves in a good place because Mom guided them there throughout her life and especially in her final days. Rusty’s wish was to live out her life in the same house where she raised her children, experiencing both joy and hard times along the way. Amazingly, she succeeded by exiting through the same door through which she entered over sixty years ago.
The world has truly been blessed by the life of this amazing woman. Rest in peace Mom, rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Empath Suncoast Hospice.
On behalf of the Kiggins Family
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