Arline Dorman Sanford was born on June 13, 1933 in New York City, New York. She was the youngest child of Elizabeth Rathbone Dorman and Franklin Dorman of Englewood, New Jersey. Her older sibling Franklin Dorman and her husband Philip H. Sanford predeceased her. She is survived by her sister Elizabeth Jane Crawford, her four children, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

She attended Dana Hall in Wellesley, Massachusetts, then went on to further her education at Sarah Lawrence. She interrupted her education to marry Philip H. Sanford on June 12, 1954.  They were married for 63 happy years. Their union produced four children, Barbara Sanford Epps, Janet Dorman Swanson, Philip Sanford and Sarah Sanford. She has 5 grandchildren, Tristan Swanson, Philip Swanson, Danna-Lea Swanson, Isaiah Epps and Elijah Epps, along with 3 great-grandchildren.

Arline's main priority and joy was raising her beloved family with husband Phil. The family enjoyed music, nature, art, and travel together along with many fun filled holidays and family traditions.

Arline completed her degree at Framingham State College after her children went to school, she finished up as her youngest was finishing up high school . She began her career teaching kindergarten and then moved on to a job at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). She worked with other professionals implementing installations of local artists works in various subway stations. This career combined her love of art, her own creative talents and her fascination with trains and transportation.

Upon retiring, Arline and Phil moved to York Maine to be closer to and help with their extended family. They spent 25 happy years in York, moving in 2015 to the retirement community Atria in Kennebunk, Maine. The last year of her life was spent living with her daughter Sarah and son-in-law Robert Kneeland.  Through their generosity she was able to be with and enjoy her beloved family through the second trying half of the Covid19 pandemic before her death this July.

Care of the Sanford family has been entrusted to the J S Pelkey and Son Funeral Home.