Moving tributes to murdered mum Jackie Barrett

Published: 17th February, 2011
by JAMIE WELHAM

HUNDREDS of friends and family members said farewell to murdered  mum Jackie Barrett at a moving funeral yesterday (Wednesday).

Poems were read and musical tributes included a tearful rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings, at Golders Green Crematorium. 

It followed a grand procession from Ms Barrett’s family home in Cressfield Close, Gospel Oak, where floral tributes spelling out “mummy” and “sister” ad­orned the pink coffin.

Neighbours lined the street and Queen’s Crescent to pay their respects.

Ms Barrett’s body was discovered at a flat in Cricklewood in the early hours of December 11 last year. 

She was 34 and a mother of three young children, Ashley, Daniel and Reece.

Daughter Ashley paid tribute to her “role model” and “best friend”. 

“I will never forget you,” she said. “No words can explain what you mean to me. 

“If I could say my last words, it would be I love you.”

Her sister Paula said she would “keep listening to music” for her, adding that she would “love her to the moon and back.” 

A crowd of more than 100 people, led by Ms Barrett’s mother, Camden Council caretaker Angie Barrett, packed into the West Chapel.

A medley of musical tributes including Jackie’s favourite songs, Beautiful Lady by reggae singer Gyptian and If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time, by R’n’B singer R Kelly were played during the half-hour service.

There were also poetic eulogies from friends and an invitation to lay flowers by her coffin.

Leading the service, Peter McNulty said: “Probably none of us understand what has happened and why. Jacqueline had so much to live for and that life has been cruelly snatched away.

“Jacqueline’s death may have stunned you into a confusion of emotions, part of which may be feelings of guilt that you didn’t do enough to protect and support her. I suspect there’s nothing more that you as family and friends could have done. 

“Today let’s recognise that the ‘what if’ questions that we fling at life usually have no answers. There are some things we cannot control. Let this be an occasion to remember the love and affection you have for Jacqueline.” 

Citing the words of Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl, he added “We cannot judge a biography by its length or by the number of pages in it; sometimes unfinished symphonies are the most beautiful.”

Ms Barrett was a former pupil at Fleet and Haverstock schools, and had been a hugely popular figure in the Queen’s Crescent area, where she had lived with her mother until recently. 

• Houssam Djemaa, from Cricklewood, has appeared in court charged with murder in connection with Ms Barrett’s death. 

The 23-year-old has been remanded in ­custody ahead of a ­hearing at the Old ­Bailey on March 16.