Fatima Figueroa

Fatima Joan (Mustafa) Figueroa, 81 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 10, 2025 at UMass Medical Center surrounded by her beloved family. 

Fatima, or “Tina” as most knew her, was born in Worcester, a daughter of the late Ahmed and Angelina (Roseberry) Mustafa. She graduated from Commerce High School and later earned her associates degree in Criminal Justice from Quinsigamond Community College. Fatima was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother (Mita/Mamita), and a member of St. Joan of Arc Church who loved to moonlight at the Connecticut Casinos and the bingo halls at the old Holy Name High School and St. Christopher’s Church. In her younger years, she was a tap dance champion, president of the local Mickey Mouse fan club, motorcycle enthusiast, an avid porcelain doll and beanie baby collector, and the best elementary, middle, and high school fundraiser in the City; sacrificing her time and energy in order to support her son’s schools. In her later years, in order to pass the time as a big talker, because her lips would never stop moving, she entertained customers as a server at Sandy’s Ivy Kitchen on Waldo Street in Worcester and worked tirelessly as a crossing guard at Thorndyke Road School as she had a deep affection for children. Lastly, she was a dog whisperer and adored all of her canines more than life itself and definitely more than all three of her children. Fatima would do anything for an animal in need, inclusive of serving as a mini-Dr. Doolittle with all local wildlife, “adopting” and feeding squirrels, birds, opossums, deer, and even skunks. In life, she was a force to be reckoned with, a fierce defender of the underdog, and someone who would make folks think twice about crossing her as her flame burned brightly and nothing could come close to dimming her shine. She was a fighter all of her life, fearless while also being the penultimate daddy’s girl, and was wholly undefeated when it came to battling others, and suffered her only loss to time/age itself.

Fatima’s husband of 43 years, Pedro T. Figueroa, passed away on February 12, 2018. She is survived by a son, Pedro A. Figueroa and his wife Jourdan of Rincon, GA.; a daughter, Brenda Lee Fleites and her significant other, Ernie Hart, of Dayville, CT; a brother Ahmed Mustafa and his wife Helen of Falmouth, MA.; eight grandchildren, Manny Figueroa and his wife Ashley, Fatima Casiano and her husband Julio, Angie Fleites and her husband Ricky, Kenny Brooks and his wife Tiffany, Katrina Brooks, Kayla Brooks, Roberto Lugo and his wife Suzanna, Brenda Brooks and Jasmine Figueroa; nineteen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by a son, Worcester’s own Golden Glove Boxer, Kenneth Brooks Jr.

Relatives and friends are invited to a period of calling hours on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 4-7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 28th at 10:00 am in Saint John’s Church, 40 Temple St., Worcester. Burial will be immediately following at Hope Cemetery, Worcester. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Second Chance Animal Shelter, 111 Young Road, P.O. Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515