Noélie Ami (b. 4 March 1916) of Pamplemousses

Ms. Olivette Labonne claimed to have turned 110. She claimed to be born on 7 January 1916.

J.Y. Robert Hungley, GOSK, Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius

3 h ·

 

𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞, 𝐥𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐟ê𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟏𝟎 𝐚𝐧𝐬

Il m’a fallu quelques jours pour me remettre des touchantes célébrations organisées en l’honneur d’𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞. Entourée de ses proches et de ses compagnons de résidence, elle rayonnait d’une joie simple pour 𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟏𝟎 𝐚𝐧𝐬.​

Doyenne des centenaires de la république de Maurice, Olivette Labonne est née le 𝟕 𝐣𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟏𝟔 à Saint-Pierre, au cœur de la Première Guerre mondiale.

Benjamine d’une famille de quatre enfants, orpheline de mère à 7 ans, cette couturière passionnée a exercé son métier avec l’élan d’une entrepreneure. Elle a traversé un siècle de bouleversements, y compris personnels, avec grâce, résilience et en tenant son foyer d’une main de fer.

Avec son conjoint Hermann Leste, elle a élevé deux fils et deux filles cosmopolites dans l’amour du français et le 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬 essentielles que sont le travail, la solidarité, l’humilité et l’intégrité en toute chose.

Pour son fils Daniel (dont je fus l’élève), la longévité d’Olivette Labonne tient à
 sa foi inébranlable,
 sa science des tisanes et des plantes médicinales,
 sa grande générosité.

Sa petite-fille Fiona, lors des célébrations organisées à Vacoas le 7 janvier dernier, a raconté avec émotion cette grand-mère qui a été mère et père pour elle à la mort de ses parents. Qui lui a montré – aussi par l’exemple – à marcher droit, le cœur vaillant, les yeux ouverts, les mains à l’ouvrage et tendues aux autres.

Olivette mère de cœur lui a, du reste, offert un cadeau précieux. Elle sera là, comme promis il y a longtemps, aux noces de Fiona dans quelques mois. Avec, je suis sûr, le même sens du chic qui l’a toujours caractérisée et la même tendresse.

Je suis, pour ma part, toujours en admiration devant ce petit bout de femme qui m’a connu enfant, à Plaisance (Rose-Hill). Je suis touché et honoré d’avoir pu célébrer, aux côtés de ses proches, ce témoin vivant de notre histoire et de la mienne. Quelle leçon de vie !

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢 à 𝐥𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭. Ensemble, célébrons celles et ceux qui illuminent nos vies. 

#Olivette110ans #DoyenneDeMaurice #Longévité #Transmission #FamilleMauricienne #Valeurs #MauriceSolidaire #Mauritius 

https://longeviquest.com/2026/01/olivette-labonne-the-oldest-person-in-mauritius-turns-110/

Olivette Labonne, the Oldest Person in Mauritius, Turns 110

Olivette Labonne, the oldest living person in Mauritius, celebrated her 110th birthday in Vacoas-Phoenix on 7 January. Her birthday was first reported on Facebook by Robert Hungley, the country’s current vice president, who visited her.

Olivette Labonne claims to have been born in Saint Pierre, Moka District, Mauritius, on 7 January 1916. She was the youngest of four children. Olivette learned the trade of seamstress, a profession she would practice throughout her life. She chose as her life partner Hermann Leste, a man 20 years her senior. Reportedly, social opposition to their union led the couple to be treated as outcasts. Together, they had two sons and two daughters.

The couple settled in Port Louis, where they devoted themselves to raising their children. French was the only language spoken at home. After her husband’s death, Olivette spent nearly 20 years living in Abidjan, London, Montreal, La Teste in France, and Detroit, Michigan.

On 6 August 2024, following the passing of Irlande Richard, she became the oldest known living person in Mauritius.

Ms. Marie Olivette Labonne, Doyenne of Mauritius, sadly passed away on 31 January 2026, at the claimed age of 110 years, 24 days. 

She claimed to be born on 7 January 1916.

Rest in peace 

https://longeviquest.com/2026/02/olivette-labonne-the-oldest-person-in-mauritius-dies-at-110/

Olivette Labonne, the Oldest Person in Mauritius, Dies at 110

Olivette Labonne, the oldest living person in Mauritius, passed away on 31 January, at the age of 110 years, 24 days.

Labonne claimed to have been born in Saint Pierre, Moka District, Mauritius, on 7 January 1916. She was the youngest of four children. She learned the trade of seamstress, a profession she would practice throughout her life. She chose as her life partner Hermann Leste, a man 20 years her senior. A divorced woodturner with a deep love of literature, he also displayed a remarkable talent for writing. Reportedly, social opposition to their union led the couple to be treated as outcasts. Together, they had two sons and two daughters.

The couple settled in Port Louis, where they devoted themselves to raising their children. After her husband’s death, Olivette spent nearly 20 years living in Abidjan, London, Montreal, La Teste in France, and Detroit, Michigan.

On 6 August 2024, following the passing of Irlande Richard, she became the oldest known living person in Mauritius.

Labonne is the 8th oldest person in the history of Mauritius.
She was the oldest person in the country for 1 year and 178 days, the shortest time since Mathilde Rousseau, who held the title for 92 days between April 6, 2020, and July 6, 2020.
She died at 110 years and 24 days old, the youngest age in that position since Irene Ramsamy, who died at 108 years and 120 days on February 25, 2022.
She is the 3rd person from Plaines Wilhelms to be considered the oldest in the country, the first since Alice Magon, who died on July 3, 2016.