Barbra Edson Lewis, 85, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Manor surrounded by her loving family. Born in Ridgewood, N.J., she was the eldest daughter of the late Katherine Eloise (Gregory) and the late John Chadwick Edson. She was the beloved wife of the late James Francis.

They were blessed with two daughters, Theresa Frances Lewis and July Nancy E. Lewis of Bristol, R.I., a granddaughter, Julia Lewis-Borgia of Bristol, R.I., and grandsons, Wyatt Delomba of Pittsburg, Pa., and Weston Delomba of Warwick, R.I.

Barbra descended from generations of musicians and singers. Her parents created the Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company in 1937, when she was 4, and the community theater became the center of the family’s life. She grew up a lifelong fan of Gilbert & Sullivan and joined the company when she was only 14 years old.

She grew her beautiful soprano voice while attending the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music after graduating from Ridgewood High School in 1951. After returning home from a year in London in the 1950s, Barbra sang almost all lead soprano and contralto roles in the Gilbert & Sullivan operas and was the company Costume Manager for many years.

She also worked as a bookkeeper and had administrative roles, including her service to Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce. She was always busy but found time to be a class parent volunteer and sang with her high school parent theater group, Jamboree.

Barbra moved to Bristol, R.I., in 2011 to be closer to her family and her new granddaughter, Julia Lewis-Borgia. She was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, which included being a soloist in the choir of St. Mary’s in Tuxedo Park, N.Y., and a dedicated member of the choir of St Matthews in Paramus, N.J. Most recently she was a member of St. Michael’s in Bristol, RI..

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation and funeral services for Barbra Lewis from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 17, 2019, in the Historic Chapel at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, R.I. A reception will follow the service in the Garden Room at Swan Point. Services for Barbra will also take place in her hometown of Ridgewood, N.J., at a later date yet to be determined.