October 10, 1920 – June 8, 2018.

Anna-Lisa Madeira was born on Oct. 10, 1920 in Cranston, the daughter of Gustaf and Anna Beckman, immigrants from Goteborg, Sweden. Early in life she evidenced a love for and talent in piano playing, which was strongly influenced by attending meetings at Providence Bible Institute as a child and teenager. This love of music, particularly religious music, formed the background of her life.

She studied at Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School, Providence Bible Institute, and earned a B.Sci. degree in political science at Wheaton College (Ill.), where she met her future husband, David Lehman Madeira. She and David were married on Sept. 7, 1945, and expected to spend their lives doing Bible translation in Sudan. God had different plans for them, though, and instead they ministered in Maine, New Hampshire, and finally for 32 years at Barrington Baptist Church, Rhode Island. Anna-Lisa contributed in numerous ways to the ministry of the churches that her husband pastored, particularly influencing their style of worship and music. Her warmth and enthusiasm caused her to embrace everyone she met, and she was particularly characterized by her concern for the less fortunate among us. 

In addition to tirelessly serving the churches of which she was a part, Anna-Lisa worked for many years as a secretary to Eugene Nida of the America Bible Society, assisting in the ministry of Bible translation. 

She spent her last years with her husband (who died in 2006) at Covenant Village of Cromwell, Conn., where, until recently, she continued to serve others, particularly in the area of music. She died peacefully in her sleep on June 8, 2018 in the presence of her daughter, Ann-Elise, and son-in-law, James Grosser. She is survived by her daughter, Ann-Elise Grosser of Charlton, Mass., and her sons, David Madeira of Gig Harbor, Wash., and Philip Madeira of Nashville, Tenn. Her grandchildren are Jennifer Grosser Layte, David Eric Grosser, Mary Anne Madeira, David Ward Madeira, Kathryne Madeira and Madeleine Madeira. She is also survived by 9 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 19, at 10:30 a.m. at the Barrington Baptist Church in Barrington. Private burial will be in Forest Chapel Cemetery.

Because of her desire to see God’s Word translated into every language, memorial gifts may be sent in her honor to The American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155.