It is with great sadness that the family of Susan Collins announces her passing on March 19. Susan was born on August 30, 1943 to Marjorie (Julius) and Robert Smith Sr. in Chicago, Illinois. She attended the University of Illinois, and shortly upon graduating, started a career as a social worker.
Eager to see the world, Susan pursued a new career as a flight attendant, first for Pan Am and later Delta. She loved the camaraderie of her cabin crews, and especially enjoyed her trips to London, one of her favorite cities. Susan often traveled with her mom, bringing her on exciting adventures in Europe and the Middle East prior to retiring after 9/11. When not traversing the globe, Susan launched Susan Albert Interiors, an interior decorating firm. She had a keen eye for design and a gift for decorating beautiful spaces.
In 1991, Susan married John “Fred” Collins in Greenwich, CT. They enjoyed nearly 32 wonderful years of gathering with friends and family (on both land and water!) traveling, hiking, and boating on Long Island Sound.
Susan was an avid gardener with an extensive knowledge of plants and how to care for all of them. When she wasn’t tending to her beautiful gardens, she could be found in the kitchen cooking up a storm, especially during the holidays. Throughout the years, Susan spent countless hours at the “dog beach” playing with her beloved Black Labs, Casey and Tess. Sadly, Tess died just days prior to Susan’s passing after a long and pampered life.
Susan had a great many friends – from their Dolphin Cove neighborhood, to the farm in Pawling, NY, and on-deck in Key West, FL (and everywhere in between!). She enjoyed giving back to the community, and served for many years on the Dolphin Cove Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive which benefitted Homes for the Brave, Kids in Crisis, Laurel House and Inspirica.
Susan is survived by her loving husband Fred, her stepchildren, John “Fred” Collins of Brooklyn, NY and his fiancée Megan Pikaard, Melissa “Missy” Rice and her husband Gregory of New York, NY and Amanda “Mandy” Collins-Baine and her husband Radley of Old Greenwich, CT. She leaves behind 5 step-grandchildren, who affectionally named her “Susu”– Annabel, Crawford, Emily, Olivia and Ava. She is also survived by her brother Robert Smith Jr. and his wife Melody of Arlington Heights, Illinois, as well as her nephews Jordan Smith and his wife Taleah and Christopher Smith and his wife Kelly and six grand-nephews and nieces – Conner, Maverick, Bram, Camryn, Elle and Kinsley.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Gathering on Friday, March 24 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. for a Memorial Service at 31 Arch Street, Greenwich.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Homes for the Brave, an organization that provides housing and services for homeless veterans. homesforthebrave.org/support-us/donate-hftb/
655 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604; (203) 338-0669.
