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

The funeral of the Dean of Mauritius, Olivette Labonne, will take place on Friday, February 6, 2026.

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

Following the mass, her remains will be buried 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 stele, a statue 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, twenty years her senior, a craftsman and passionate about literature. Their union was viewed unfavorably by society at the time, making the couple outcasts for many years. They had two sons and two daughters together.

In a heartfelt message, her son, Daniel Labonne, recalls that she was the first to be surprised to have reached the age of one hundred. A thoughtful seamstress, she had sewn her burial outfit, which she later gifted.

The Défi Media Group extends its heartfelt condolences to the grieving families.