Tributes to Barbara Gayle

Michael Hylton , KC, former solicitor general of Jamaica

“Barbara Gayle was the first journalist I met when I started practice in 1976, and I feel we grew up together. She was always thoughtful, kind and professional. She often forwarded to me inspirational messages. The last one, sent a few days ago, said, 'A million things can hold you down. Find one thing that lifts you up.' I am shocked and saddened beyond words by the tragedy of her passing but will hold on to and remember that last message. Rest in peace, Barbara."

Peter Champagnie , KC, chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council

“There are hardly any words that I can use at this time to express how shock and grief-stricken I am of learning of the death of Barbara Gayle in such circumstances. She was exceptionally skilled at her craft. Beyond this, she was a true friend. My condolences to her immediate family and her wider family within the field of journalism. There will never be another like her.”

Paula Llewellyn, KC, director of public prosecutions

“Barbara Gayle a committed Christian was a journalist extraordinaire specialising in court reporting .She was unobtrusive as she went around the courts, but was blessed with great observation and listening capabilities, keen intellectual acuity, very discerning and she was able to get the trust of many critical stakeholders in the legal profession as she articulated and explained complex legal issues in her stories. She was a very positive mentor not only to colleague journalists, but also to young attorneys and court staff, who benefited like myself from her constructive criticism and fulsome encouragement and commendation. Barbara loved her God, shared her quotations of scripture by WhatsApp with many of us every morning. She loved her craft, and was witty, brilliant but kind and humble to the end. She was simply the best and I will miss her friendship and extend my condolences to her family.”

Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our member, Barbara Gayle who served at the Riverton Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church as community services and children ministries director. It brings to focus the serious monster of crime that we all have to face, as criminals have become no respecter of persons. Our prayers and condolences go out to her family.”

Justice (retired) Roy Anderson

“Barbara Gayle was a towering figure in the local media fraternity where she has served her country for over forty (40) years. Long before it became acceptable for judges to speak to journalists, (out of fear that their words could be corrupted), Barbara was one journalist to whom one could speak in the sure knowledge that your words would not be misquoted nor your confidences betrayed. She was a gem of a woman and a journalist; humble to a fault, diligent, straightforward and a true professional.

I first met Barbara when I was a practising attorney at the private Bar. Then made a reacquaintance when I was sworn in to the Bench of the Supreme Court. In fact, as I recall, she wrote the report of my swearing-in. In the thirty (30) or so years since we met, I have been deeply impressed by her dedication to her craft and to her understanding of the role and function of our judicial system. I developed not only an admiration for her professionalism, but a respect for a friendship in which I was able to share. I cannot begin to express the extent of the loss not only personal, but to the media fraternity and the country’s need to understand how its justice system works.”

Patrick Foster, KC

“I was stunned by the tragic circumstances of Barbara’s passing whom I’ve known for over 30 years. Such a decent and wonderful human being who lived a good life, deserved better than that.

She was an excellent journalist with an eye for interesting and newsworthy cases that she felt should brought to light. Her news reports and articles were an easy read, no matter how complex the subject was. One could tell she fully understood what she wrote about and this was reflected in the clarity of her work, which both lawyers and laymen appreciated.

We have lost an excellent journalist and someone who treated everyone with respect in her daily interactions, even in the competitive setting of news reporting.”

Jamaican Bar Association

“The council of, and the Jamaican Bar Association, deeply regret the death of veteran court reporter Barbara Gayle. She is remembered fondly by all members of the legal fraternity, including attorneys-at-law, judges and court staff.”