Memorial Giving
We appreciate your desire to honor someone special with a memorial gift. For your convenience, those whose names are listed below have individual online memorial-giving pages set up. Follow the link to make your gift.
To set up memorial giving, please visit the Memorial/Honorary Gifts page.
Gifts In Memory of
Sally Ann Gibson ’61
Sally Ann Gibson, 88, died peacefully surrounded with love on May 5, 2026 at Ross Manor in Bangor. Sally was born on November 14, 1937 in Bangor and was the daughter of William A. Gibson and Gertrude Crowley Gibson.
Sally grew up in Bangor’s west side with her parents and many dear friends and family. She was a graduate of Bangor High School, Class of 1956, attended Westbrook Junior College, and graduated from the University of Maine with a B.A. in English in 1961. During her time in college Sally was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, made many lifelong friends, enjoyed living on campus, and created stories that she would share for the rest of her life.
After college, Sally moved to Boston and started her career in finance. First working at State St. Bank & Trust Co. and then moving on to Pioneer Group for the remainder of her career. Sally served as Vice President for The Pioneer Group, Inc., Vice President for Pioneering Services Corporation and Assistant Treasurer of the Funds. Sally loved her work and her colleagues and was a valued colleague during her time at Pioneer. She retired in 1989 and returned to Bangor to live in the family home on Hewey St. where she became a beloved neighbor and friend.
During her time in Boston, Sally lived on Beacon Hill and took advantage of the wealth of activities Boston had to offer. She walked all over the city, saw many changes during the 1970’s and 80’s, attended Red Sox and Celtics games, and routinely welcomed friends and their families into her home. She was a generous and fun hostess and always looked forward to seeing the many kids who called her “Aunt Sally”. Whether it was visiting the Museum of Science, the Aquarium, a Red Sox game, or the Nutcracker Ballet, Sally was always ready for an adventure with her friends and their children. Her love for Boston, her time there, and the many friends she made knew no end.
Sally loved nature and being outside, she loved watching birds, especially the crows, and always had a good squirrel story to share. One of her greatest joys was her “cottage by the sea” in Lamoine where she summered for almost 50 years. Many hours and days were spent watching the sun set, the moon rise, and the ebb and flow of the tides. But the chugging of the approaching lobster boats brought Sally the greatest glee.
Sally is survived by her dear friends Susan Law (son Ted and wife Barbara), Nancy Smith (husband David, son Jonathan, wife Lori, and children, son Jeffrey, wife Merry and children), Kay Blanchard (daughter Lee Jack, husband Ron, and children, daughter Jill Blanchard Sommer, son Albert “Chick” Blanchard, wife Amy, and daughter) She is also survived by Julia Munsey (husband John Dougherty) and Stephen Munsey children of her dear friends Helen and Bill Munsey who predeceased her.
Her family friends would like to thank the team at Ross Manor for all of their care and support of Sally during her time there. She felt at home there and it was because of you. Sally loved telling stories about the book she was going to write entitled “Tales of the Manor”. Thank you also to Jill Moffitt and Wendy Hart with Loving Touch In-Home Care for all of your incredible care and support. It meant the world to her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 12 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 768 Ohio St., Bangor followed by the Rite of committal at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, 449 Ohio St., Bangor. Friends are invited to attend a reception at St. Mary’s following the services.
Gifts In Memory of
Anne Collins ’61
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 from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2026 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.
Memories and condolences may be shared with her family on her tribute wall.