SALINA – Cecilia Collins, 91, passed away Monday, November 1, 2021. She was born March 13, 1930 in Waialua Oahu, Hawaii. She was the sixth child of nine (Joe, Tony, Lydia, Mary, Madeline, Cecilia, Emilia, John and Emanual) born to Antone Gomes Pequeniza and Maria Clemente Moniz.

Her father was a foreman for the Dole Pineapple Company, Oahu Hawaii.

She was eleven years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. Her first job was working in the Dole Pineapple Company canning factory. In 1948 she met and fell in love with SSgt Robert “Mickey” Collins of the United States Army Air Corps. They were married on January 8, 1949. They had 2 sons Robert and Michael before they left Hawaii in 1952.

The family transferred in 1952 to Maryland where Denise, Rosemarie and Paul were born.

In 1957, the family was transferred to Wheelus AFB, Tripoli Libya. Cecilia had to go to Libya with her five children (ages 7, 5, 4, 2 and 1) alone because her husband Mickey had to go first to secure housing before she and the children could come over to Libya. That was the first of many challenges she successfully overcame while she took care of her family in Libya.

In 1961, the family was transferred to Schilling AFB, Salina Kansas. The family settled just outside of Bridgeport, Kansas and the kids went to school in Assaria, Kansas. She and her family became an active part of the Assaria community by making new friends being involved in 4-H and other activities in the surrounding area.

Cecilia’s lasting contributions are the positive impact she had on her family and friends. She was a loving concerned mother and wife. She dearly loved her family as anyone could tell who heard her talk about her kids and grandchildren. She raised her children to be honest concerned, self-reliant, productive citizens. Being the wife of a veteran and mother to 4 veterans and losing her youngest daughter while on active duty. Cecilia will not be forgotten and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be private.

Donations may be made to Hospice and Homecare of Reno County.