Singers sang, dancers danced and musicians played their instruments during an emotional graveside musical tribute fitting for Bermuda’s “First Lady of Limbo”, Dawn Jeanette Wilson.

Mrs Wilson, wife of Kavin Wilson, a vocalist with local reggae group Ital Foundation, was laid to rest at St Mary’s Cemetery on Sunday after a homegoing service at nearby Southampton Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The mother-of-two passed away on February 24, three days before her 50th birthday, after a bout with cancer.

Those paying graveside musical tributes to Mrs Wilson included her husband, several of her limbo dance colleagues, singer Blacka Dread and saxophonist Wendell “Shine” Hayward.

“Dawn was the last of the best,” Mr Hayward commented on social media. “Rest In Peace ‘Our Gem’.”

Affectionately known to many as “Dawnie”, Mrs Wilson took a serious interest in dancing at age 9 and, after enrolling in the Jackson School of Dance, excelled in ballet, jazz and modern dance classes.

Such was her passion for dancing, she continued dance studies with Verniece Benjamin-Kessler, who assisted her in landing her first job as a dancer with “Pedro” in his limbo show on Hawkins Island.

Limbo turned out to be Mrs Wilson’s calling and she would eventually form her own limbo dance group, entertaining both tourists and Bermuda residents alike at local hotels, including The Fairmont Southampton, Grotto Bay Hotel and Sonesta Beach.

“Local entertainers work hard to develop their skills while showcasing such talents to the world and enhancing the artistic culture of Bermuda,” said Leroy Simmons, the president of the Bermuda Entertainment Union. “For years, Dawn has been a major part of this process as Bermuda’s number one limbo dancer. Dawn’s natural language was limbo. It was transformed from her soul and effectively reflected in her body.

“Dawn was a key ambassador and Bermudianised limbo dancing enjoyed by locals and tourists. Her skills were like none other. She exemplified the very definition of limbo, which dates back to the 1950s, meaning to be limber, yet in control. Her ability to slide under the bar always proved to be a phenomenal and accomplished task.

“Whether the challenging horizontal pole was made out of wood, adorned with fire or humans, Dawn always seemed to bend but not break, slide but not slip and flow without falling.

“We regret the pole of life has fallen on our First Lady of Limbo. However, we will always remember her contribution and enhancement to Bermuda’s entertainment industry.” Mrs Wilson touched many lives through her dancing talents and was a role model to many of her peers in the local entertainment industry.

Sheila Smith, who sang a musical tribute to Mrs Wilson during the homegoing service, told those gathered that she would not be where she is today had it not been for the positive influence that her high school classmate had on her. “She was the wind the beneath my wings,” she said.

Dawn Cummings, one of Mrs Smith’s many limbo dance colleagues, added: “I learnt so much from her. She shared so much love for the art of limbo dancing and life. We were blessed with the presence of the best, for sure.

“She was the essence of poetry in motion, both on and off the stage. She had grace, poise, passion, genuine kindness and always exemplified dedication to excellence.”

Mrs Wilson, who worked as a clerk at the Department of Health, is also survived by sons Rejay and Rickai Johnston, mother Vera Johnston and siblings LaVerne Simmons, Sandra Johnson, Grandlyn Outerbridge, Diane Hendrickson, Kevin and Kent Johnston and Ralph Lovell.