Barrie Collins, an ardent environmentalist and wife of land trust founder Stephen Collins, passed on 6/26/25 at the age of 97. She and Steve raised and housed a variety of wildlife – foxes, flying squirrels, snakes and a Great-Horned owl – in their own home. For 25 years, Barrie was the local reporter for the New Haven Register and attended most town commission meetings.
Her voluminous memory of all things Bethany kept town officials on their toes. She fought many good fights protecting our ridgelines and establishing the Bethany town ordinance protecting scenic roads. She terrorized local work crews to protect the roadside scenic fern banks. Town movers and shakers dreaded her phone calls where she would tell them, in great detail and at great length, what had been done right… or what they were doing wrong. Bethany is the beautiful town it is largely because of her vigilance. Thanks Barrie.
Barrie on the Steve Collin Memorial Bench
Barrie at Steve Collin Memorial Event
