NEWBURYPORT, Massachusetts - Sarah Thayer Arnold, 91, formerly of Hampton and Salisbury, MA, died Sunday, November 19, 1995, in Brigham Manor Nursing Home following an extended illness.

She was born March 17, 1904, in Hamilton, MA, the daughter of the late Arthur and Ruby (Libby) Southwick.

She moved to Hampton in 1950 and later moved to Salisbury, MA.

She was educated in Hamilton public schools.

Mrs. Arnold was employed for 10 years as the first assistant librarian in Hampton.

She was a former member of the Hamilton United Methodist Church and its Hamilton Ladies Society; the Hampton Methodist Church and the Ladies Social Circle; the Salisbury Golden Age Club; and the East Parish Methodist Church in Salisbury. She was the widow of Leroy C. Thayer and Howard S. Arnold.

She is survived by one son, Leroy C. Thayer of Hampton; three daughters, Claire DeGrandpre of Freeport, ME, June Whitcomb of Hampton and Betty Gosselin of Kingston; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a dear friend, Villa Barton of Salisbury.

She was predeceased by one grandchild, David DeGrandpre of Freeport; and two sisters, Myrtle O'Leary and Caroline Sinkiewicz, both of Ipswich, MA. Funeral services were held Wednesday in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. Burial followed in Hamilton Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the East Parish Methodist Church, Layfayette Road, Salisbury, MA 01952.