NORTHPORT — Anne Adams Collins, of Northport, Maine, passed away August 23 at the age of 88. Anne was born in Belfast and raised in Farmington. After graduating from Farmington High School she attended the University of Maine, graduating in 1961 with a degree in education. 

 

Anne met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Collins, at the University of Maine. They married in 1961 and began their life together in Connecticut, where Anne taught second grade for three years. After the birth of their daughter Jennifer, Anne became a stay-at-home mother. In 1966, their daughter Pamela was born. That same year began what would be a remarkable adventure when Dick’s work sent them to live in Bermuda. 

 

For the next 15 years Anne, Dick, Jennifer and Pam lived in Bermuda, Lebanon, Iran and Japan and traveled the world. In 1981, they returned to the United States and settled in Delaware where Anne continued to travel extensively with Dick for his job. When Dick retired in 1992, they returned to their roots in Maine, settling in Northport.

 

Maine was a touchstone for Anne throughout her life. She and her family returned at least once a year to spend the entire summer in Belfast with Anne’s mother and stepfather.

 

The University of Maine also held a special place in Anne and Dick’s hearts. They were generous supporters of the University over the years. In 2007, they made a significant gift toward renovations to the Maine Center for the Arts, which was renamed the Richard and Anne Collins Center for the Arts. Anne and Dick received the Stillwater Presidential Award in 2007 for their decades of support to the University of Maine.

 

After Dick passed away in 2014, Anne found love again with Ted Ames. She and Ted had 8 wonderful years together before Ted’s passing in 2023.

 

Anne found time throughout her life for many volunteer activities too numerous to list. In recent years, she enjoyed playing mahjong and visits with her children, grandchildren, and many dear friends. Anne’s warmth, joy, and enthusiasm for life touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. She lived the last 29 years of her life in the home she and Dick built by the ocean in Northport, just down the road from Belfast, where her life began.

 

Anne was predeceased by her husband, Richard Collins; mother, Lillian Orchard Adams Clement; step father Frank Adams, step father Claude Clement; and brother, James Adams.

 

She is survived by daughters Pamela Stead (Kevin) of Searsmont, Maine; daughter Jennifer Collins (Robert Hussey) of Edina, Minnesota and grandchildren Conor Hussey, Megan Hussey, Lily Stead and Keira Stead.

 

Visiting hours will be held Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 2 - 4 p.m., at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast, Maine. A private burial service will be held.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Collins Center for the Arts.