1923 – 2013

ORONO — Muriel Adams Sanford, 90, died on Thursday, Sept. 5.

She was born in Lewiston on Jan. 31, 1923, the daughter of James G. and Mildred (Willis) Adams. Muriel was brought up in Auburn and Topsham. She was an honor presenter in the Brunswick High School Class of 1940. Muriel attended Farmington Normal School and received her B.S. degree from the University of Maine in 1946, and her Master’s in library science from Simmons College in 1955.

She established two high school libraries, one in Houlton and one in Waltham, Mass., before working for the Vermont Free Public Library Commission from 1954-1958, where she provided books and services to the Montpelier, Vt., region. In 1958, she and her husband, Alpheus Sanford, whom she married on June 24, 1947, moved to Orono.

Muriel was librarian at Husson University until 1971, when she joined the special collections department at Fogler Library at the University of Maine. She became head of the department in 1990, and was especially proud of the addition of many collections of papers of historical significance to the state of Maine, including family histories, records from Maine businesses and organizations, and papers from individual artists, writers and government officials. The acquisition of the William S. Cohen papers occurred during the last of her career there.

Muriel was a member of the Maine Library Association, Maine Archives and Museums, New England Archivists, various University of Maine organizations and the American Association of University Women.

She felt very fortunate to have a wonderful daughter, Nancy. In addition to her parents, Muriel was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Alpheus, in 1996. Together, they especially enjoyed their Cottage on the Maine coast in Harborside, and the summer visitors and family get-togethers there.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Ann Sanford of Waterville, and other family and friends.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.