Death of the Oldest Resident of Mauritius: The Funeral of Olivette Labonne Will Take Place This Friday

The funeral of Mauritius's oldest resident, Olivette Labonne, will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026.

The procession will depart from Elie & Sons on Royal Road in Beau-Bassin for a religious ceremony at St. John’s Church in Quatre-Bornes at 2 PM.

After the mass, the body will be interred at St. John’s Cemetery.

Having celebrated her 110th birthday on January 7, Olivette Labonne passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026.

Born on January 7, 1916, in St. Pierre during World War I, she was the youngest of four children. Her father, Évariste, was an influential figure in the community, with his name engraved at the base of the Sir William Newton monument located in front of the Government House in Port Louis.

Described as an educated woman with a rich vocabulary and strong numerical skills, she was a diligent student. She chose as her life partner Hermann Leste, who was twenty years her senior, a craftsman and writer who had been divorced. This union was viewed unfavorably by society at the time, leading to the couple being perceived as outsiders for many years. They had two sons and two daughters together.

In an emotional tribute, her son, Daniel Labonne, recalls that she was the first to be surprised to have reached the age of 100. A thoughtful seamstress, she had sewn her own burial outfit, which she eventually gifted.

The Défi Media Group extends its deepest sympathies to the grieving families.