Madeline Ann Sinclair Grant slipped peacefully from this world on June 15, 2025, at the age of 88, with her family close at hand and love all around her. A quiet force of nature, Madeline didn’t need to raise her voice to make her presence known—her kindness, steady spirit, and ability to make everyone feel at home did all the talking.
She was born on March 13, 1937, in Wellington, Maine, to Howard T. Sinclair and Mary Jenkins Sinclair, the second-oldest in a lively household. She spent her childhood swimming in Wytopitlock Lake, picking blueberries, and sharing stories with her siblings.
Madeline graduated as valedictorian of Scarborough High School before becoming a Registered Nurse, entering the field in the wake of the polio pandemic. She cared for patients with the kind of empathy and calm that can’t be taught in school. After starting her family, she continued nursing privately, later becoming a reading specialist at Heritage Christian Academy—a role that let her combine her nurturing heart with her deep love of books. But no job title ever came close to these: wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dear friend.
There was always room at Madeline’s table, always a puzzle in progress on the dining room table, and always a gentle strength in her presence. She had a way of listening that made you feel like your thoughts were worth hearing, and a smile that made even hard days easier.
Madeline lived with a genuine, resolute faith. An active member of Bridgton Alliance Church during her years in Maine, she was also a faithful attendee of Thomas Road Baptist Church after her move to Rustburg, Virginia. Madeline’s devotion to the Lord was simple, deep, and unshakeable. In her downtime, she found delight in books, crosswords, rummy, and jigsaw puzzles—activities that let her keep her sharp mind humming while enjoying the company of her family.
Madeline leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Harry W. Grant, who fell for her after they met by happenstance—he was a handsome young airman on leave, and she was a warm, bright Maine girl with a ’57 Chevy. He never stopped loving her. She is also survived by her children: Pam Burford and her husband Junior, David Grant and his wife Stephanie, and Cheryl Morgan and her husband Ben; her seven grandchildren: Jessica & Jonathan Day, Jennifer Surratt, Joshua Grant, Jordan & Dani Grant, Megan Grant, Sydney Morgan, and Chelsea Morgan; and her seven great-grandchildren: Liam, Daneel, Mary, Avery, Adam, McKenna, and Rowan. They will all tell you she was the heart of their family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved siblings, Dale, Joseph, and Evelyn, all of whom she surely welcomed with a smile and one of her famous hugs as she joined them on the other side.
A celebration of Madeline’s life and faith will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Thomas Road Baptist Church with Pastor Jonathan Falwell officiating.
The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday July 3, 2025 at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, Virginia with Pastor Rick Rasberry officiating.
The family requests those wishing to make memorial contributions to please consider the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, www.fca.org/donate or to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, www.phassociation.org/donate
Madeline didn’t ask for the spotlight, but she warmed every room she inhabited. Her grace, wisdom, and gentle love will be dearly missed and long remembered.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
