Susan Collins Parents: The Family Behind Maine’s Longtime Republican Senator

Susan Collins’ parents were Donald F. Collins and Patricia McGuigan Collins, commonly known as Don and Pat Collins. Both were prominent figures in Caribou, a small city in Maine’s Aroostook County.

Donald was a decorated World War II veteran, businessman and Republican state legislator. Patricia was an educator, artist and community leader who became the first woman elected mayor of Caribou.

The couple married in 1948 and raised six children. Their marriage lasted 70 years, until Donald’s passing in 2018.

Patricia died in March 2024 at the age of 96. Their contributions to Maine extended beyond their daughter’s political achievements, with both having established their own records of public service.

Susan Collins’ Father Donald F. Collins

Donald F. Collins was born on November 30, 1925, in Caribou, Maine. He grew up in a family involved in the lumber business and later became a respected local businessman and politician.

During World War II, Donald served in the United States Army’s 87th Infantry Division. He fought in Europe and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.

His military service earned him two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star, recognizing his courage and sacrifices during the war.

After returning to Maine, Donald attended the University of Maine through educational benefits available to military veterans.

He later joined the family lumber company, S.W. Collins Co., in 1949. The business had been established by his ancestors in 1844 and became an important part of Caribou’s local economy.

Donald helped expand the company while remaining involved in community activities.

He also served as mayor of Caribou and completed five terms in the Maine Legislature between 1970 and 1992.

His political experience gave Susan an early understanding of government, public responsibility and the importance of representing local communities.

Donald died in March 2018 at the age of 92.

Susan Collins’ Mother Patricia McGuigan Collins

Patricia McGuigan Collins was born in Colombia, South America, and moved to the United States with her parents during childhood.

She grew up in Port Jervis, New York, before attending the University of Maine.

While studying in Maine, she met Donald Collins. The couple married in February 1948 and eventually settled in Caribou.

Patricia became deeply involved in education, charitable organizations and local government.

She made history as the first woman elected mayor of Caribou, following her husband’s earlier service in the position.

Her community involvement included serving on the Caribou School Board and the University of Maine System Board of Trustees.

In 1991, she became the second woman to chair the university system’s board.

Patricia also supported Catholic Charities Maine and worked with organizations assisting children and families.

Beyond public service, she was an accomplished watercolor artist who painted portraits and published cookbooks.

Her contributions earned recognition throughout Maine, including induction into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame in 2005.

Patricia died on March 5, 2024, leaving behind six children, 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

How Did Donald and Patricia Collins Meet?

Donald and Patricia Collins met while attending the University of Maine.

Donald had returned from military service and was pursuing higher education, while Patricia had moved to Maine after growing up in New York.

Their relationship developed during their college years, and they married on February 28, 1948.

The couple settled in Caribou, where Donald worked in the family business and Patricia became involved in community organizations.

Over the following decades, they raised six children while balancing business responsibilities and public service.

Their 70th wedding anniversary received national recognition shortly before Donald’s passing in 2018.

Their marriage became an important part of the family’s history, spanning decades of economic, political and social change.

Susan Collins’ Five Siblings

Susan Collins grew up with five siblings named Kathleen, Michael, Nancy, Samuel and Gregg Collins.

The family maintained strong connections to Caribou and the surrounding communities of northern Maine.

Several siblings continued the family’s involvement in business and community activities.

Her brothers Samuel and Gregg became involved in managing S.W. Collins Co., the lumber and building supply company established by their ancestors.

The business has operated for generations and remains associated with the Collins family’s history in Aroostook County.

Susan’s other siblings have generally maintained more private professional lives.

The six children grew up in a household where education, responsibility and civic participation were encouraged.

Their parents’ involvement in local government meant that discussions about community needs and public policy were familiar parts of family life.

How Her Parents Influenced Susan Collins’ Childhood

Susan Collins grew up in Caribou, where her family’s business and political activities were closely connected to the local community.

Her parents believed that people should participate in solving problems rather than simply complain about them.

Collins has frequently recalled this lesson when explaining her approach to public service.

As a young girl, she worked picking potatoes for local farmers and took babysitting jobs.

She also worked at the Caribou Public Library, reading stories to children.

These early experiences helped her develop an appreciation for hard work and community involvement.

Collins attended Caribou High School, where she became student council president.

In 1971, she participated in the United States Senate Youth Program and traveled to Washington, D.C.

During that visit, she met Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who became an important political inspiration.

Collins later graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1975.

Her educational and professional journey reflected the expectations established by her parents during childhood.

The Collins Family’s Long History in Maine

The Collins family’s connection to Maine extends back to the nineteenth century.

Susan Collins’ ancestors established S.W. Collins Co. in Caribou in 1844.

The company developed into a regional lumber and building supply business serving communities across northern Maine.

Several generations of the family became involved in local government and state politics.

Donald Collins served in the Maine Legislature, as did other relatives from earlier generations.

Susan’s uncle, Samuel W. Collins Jr., served in the Maine Senate and later became a justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

This longstanding tradition of business ownership and public service helped shape the environment in which Susan grew up.

Her family’s history also contributed to her interest in supporting small businesses and rural communities.

How Her Parents Shaped Susan Collins’ Political Career

Susan Collins began her political career after graduating from St. Lawrence University.

She joined the staff of Maine Congressman William Cohen in 1975 and continued working for him after his election to the Senate.

She later held positions in Maine state government and the federal Small Business Administration.

In 1996, Collins won election to the United States Senate.

She became known for her moderate Republican positions and willingness to work across party lines.

Her political approach has frequently reflected the lessons she learned from her parents about cooperation and community responsibility.

Donald and Patricia’s experience in local government demonstrated that public service could involve practical decisions affecting everyday life.

Collins has continued emphasizing issues important to Maine, including small businesses, health care, national defense and economic development.

Her parents’ influence remains an important part of how she explains her political values.

Susan Collins Parents and Family Background

Susan Collins’ parents were Donald F. Collins and Patricia McGuigan Collins, two respected community leaders from Caribou, Maine.

Donald was a World War II veteran, lumber businessman and state legislator who died in 2018. Patricia was an educator, artist and the first woman elected mayor of Caribou. She died in 2024.

The couple raised six children during their 70-year marriage and established a family tradition centered on education, business and public service.

Their influence helped shape Susan Collins’ early ambitions and her eventual career in the United States Senate.

For readers interested in Susan Collins’ parents, Donald and Patricia are remembered not only for raising a prominent senator but also for their own contributions to Maine’s civic and political history.