“EVERY performer loves a standing ovation, they live for it, so let us give Shiela her last standing ovation.” And with that charge from playright and author, the Reverend Easton Lee, the entire congregation rose to its feet and saluted the dancer, choreographer and educator.

The St Benedict the Moor Roman Catholic Church in Harbour View, St Andrew was filled to capacity on Saturday morning, as many, including prominent members of the local dance fraternity, gathered to pay homage to Barnett who died on March 19 at the age of 83.

Reverend Lee, who delivered the rememberance, recalled sharing the narrative he had written about a meeting of the Biblical mother of Judas, and Mary, mother of Jesus. He disclosed that he was later surprised by a call from Barnett asking him to view something she had choreographed based on that narrative he shared with her.

Lee said he cried for 10 minutes after viewing what Barnett and fellow dancer Monica McGowan (who was in attendance at the service on Saturday) performed for him. The dance became known as The Rope and the Cross — a title given by Barnett. Lee said he was so inspired the he would later write the poem and the play of the same name.

Prior to Lee’s rememberance, two members of the National Dance Theatre Company performed a touching and tear-jerking excerpt of The Rope and the Cross. For dancers Tamara Noel as Mary, mother of Jesus and Keita-Marie Chamberlain as the mother of Judas, to perform this piece for Barnett was indeed moving, especially for Chamberlain who noted that Barnett was one of her early dance teachers. The pair who only started rehearsals last Tuesday, say they look forward to performing this piece at this month Morning of Music and Movement, the annual Easter Sunday morning concert organised by the NDTC.

The tributes which preceded the morning service all highlighted Barnett’s work in the area of dance while capturing her charm, grace and dignity.

Dance reseacher Cheryl Ryman described Barnett as a visionary, noting the stage was the natural arena for her to showcase her talent. This vision, she said, can be seen in the 17 works she choreographed for the NDTC of which she was a founding member.

Barnett’s daughters, Patricia Newland and Rona Barnett-Passard, paid tribute in song to their mother performing Marcia Griffiths’ Dreamland. The rendition of Kumbaya by the Cari-Folk Singers during the aspersion and incensation — as the priest blessed the body with holy water and incense — was another moment filled with emotion.

Soprano Tina Mowatt rounded out the tributes with the popular aria, The Holy City, which danced off the walls of the hexagon-shaped church situated high on a hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea.