Obituary: Ethel L. Collins
Ethel L. Collins, 85, of Scarborough, dies after a life of service and hospitality
Scarborough, Maine – Ethel L. Collins, 85, of Scarborough, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2026. The long‑time resident, who had lived in the town for more than six decades, is survived by her children, grandchildren and great‑grandchildren, and leaves behind a legacy of warmth, hard work and community spirit.
Born on December 26, 1940, in South Portland, Collins was the daughter of Robert I. Foshay and Lillian Hogland Foshay. In 1958 she married William A. Collins, and the pair settled in Scarborough in 1963. Together they built a home in 1967 and raised five children, a family that came to be known locally as the “Collins Ranch.” The ranch became a gathering place for neighbors, offering swimming, volleyball, horseshoes, ping‑pong and even lawn‑tractor races. “It was always a safe, happy place for our kids and the neighborhood children,” Collins’s son recalled.
Collins’s career began in 1970, when she joined the United States Postal Service as a rural letter carrier. She delivered mail to thousands of local residents, never missing a delivery regardless of weather or snow. After 30 years of service, she retired in 2000 but continued to contribute to her community. For many years, she worked part‑time with her husband at the Dunstan Dental Center (Joe and Demi) in Scarborough.
A lifelong friend of the town, Collins was remembered for her bright, happy smile and unwavering dedication. “She was a familiar and beloved face throughout the community,” said a longtime neighbor. “People always said they missed her, even after she retired.” Her work ethic was legendary; she once remarked that she could “climb over any snowbank” to ensure a parcel reached its destination.
Collins predeceased her parents, Robert and Lillian Foshay, her husband William A. Collins Sr., her son William A. Collins Jr., daughter Maryellen Collins Stevenson, brother Ernest Foshay and sister Barbara Dillon. She is survived by three of her children—Robert M. Collins, Laurie Hanson and Don T. Collins—along with numerous grandchildren and great‑grandchildren, extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.
A viewing will be held at Hobbs Funeral Home in Scarborough on October 30, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. A memorial service will follow immediately afterward. The funeral home will provide details about arrangements.
Collins’s life reflected the values of hard work, hospitality and community service. Her legacy will endure in the memories of her family and the many neighbors whose lives she touched through her tireless service as a postal carrier and her open‑handed hospitality at the Collins Ranch.
