ORONO — Muriel Adams Sanford, 90, died on September 5, 2013. She was born January 31, 1923, in Lewiston, 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, Massachusetts, before working for the Vermont Free Public Library Commission from 1954-1958 where she provided books and services to the Montpelier 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, 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, other family and friends.
A memorial service will be held with the time, day, and place to be announced later. Memorial donations in Muriel’s memory may be made to the Fogler Library through the University of Maine Foundation, Buchanan Alumni House, 2 Alumni Place, Orono, Maine 04469- 5792 or the Evening Sandwich Program (Universalist-Unitarian Church of Waterville) P.O. Box 2471, Waterville, Maine 04903-2417. Checks should be made out to the Evening Sandwich Program.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
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