BENNOUN, Yolanda Lucia

Name: Funeral service for BENNOUN, Yolanda Lucia
Start: 2026-05-13T10:00:00+10:00
End: 2026-05-13T11:00:00+10:00
Location: Eastern Park Chapel, 271 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool

Passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 after living independently until a fall at her home in Warrnambool on Sunday May 3.

Aged 102 years

Loved wife of Maurice (dec.).

Loving mother of Mary (dec.), Philip (dec.), and Robert.

Loving daughter of Francesco and Marie Oddo (both dec.).

Youngest sister of Carmalina, Giuseppe, Adolfo, Marguerita, Antoinetta, and Aurora (all dec.).

She loved Warrnambool from the minute she arrived, to the minute she died

Rest in Peace

Family and friends of YOLANDA are invited to attend a Memorial Service celebrating her life in the Eastern Park Chapel, 271 Raglan Pde Warrnambool on WEDNESDAY (May 13) commencing at 10.00a.m.

Private cremation

Please click this link to watch Yolanda's Funeral Servcie stream

Funeral notice

Service

Wednesday May 13, 2026, 10:00am

Eastern Park Chapel, 271 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool

Get directions

Tributes

Leave a tribute

Thank you Yole for being you and welcoming me into your life 50 years ago..your engagement with life has always been so powerful...a being here now, working hard, laughing and finding laughter ...it isn't an accident that people remember you with such sweet fondness..you wove yourself into hearts and minds with a calm and spiritual presence of heart and mind .. your food and fun, your energy and patience have all left deep impressions and memories in my heart ...I will enjoy you every day for the rest of my life x̌

Jenny Keating
May 15, 2026 6:38 am
Dear Yole, an exceptional woman and a beautiful soul, she’s everything I would like to be. Courageous, with a great capacity to love and laugh and make the most of life. She was very special and will be terribly missed by us all. The world won’t be quite the same without her.
Arrivederci Yole. Love you so much. God Bless.

Tony & Viv Marno
May 14, 2026 6:10 am
Thinking of you Robert, remembering your dear Mother, and my thoughts are with you today.
Isobel Phillips

Isobel Phillips
May 13, 2026 9:58 am
To dear Yola, “Mum” to many, thank-you for showing and sharing a Life well-lived, with warmth, wit, and wisdom. For your care and help in so many different languages and locations, with joy and humor —whatever life brought. Your autobiography couldn’t contain it all, but each photo shows it shining through! Travel well, and be with us always!

Irene (who Knew You First In China)
May 10, 2026 9:18 am
Rest in Peace, Yolanda. Thank you for gracing the world. My deepest condolences to the whole family, especially Robert. I hope the memory of your love will always continue to live on.

Joyce D.Gordon
May 10, 2026 1:10 am
Meine liebe Yole, ich bin so froh, daß ich Dir zu Lebzeiten
immer wieder gesagt und geschrieben habe, wie sehr ich Dich liebe. Du warst immer ein starkes Vorbild für mich und ich habe Dich dafür bewundert, wie Du trotz Deines nicht einfachen Lebens und trotz des Verlustes Deines geliebten Mannes und der Verluste Deiner beiden Kinder die Stärke hattest, weiter zu machen.
Deine überlegte, ruhige und erfahrene Lebensweise wird für mich immer ein absolutes Vorbild bleiben. Wie schön, unterhaltend, bereichernd und fröhlich das Beisammensein mit Dir war, wird unvergesslich in mir weiterleben. Eine starke Frau, eine liebevolle Mutter, eine einfühlsame und immer helfende Schwester und Tante.
Glücklich, dass Robert immer bei Dir war und Dich auf Deiner letzten Reise begleitet hat.
Ich könnte den Beitrag unendlich fortsetzen.
Yole, ich werde Dich immer und immer vermissen. Ich liebe Dich über alles.
Sonja Haddad

Translation:
My dear Yole,

I am so grateful that during your lifetime I told you again and again, both in words and in writing, how much I love you. You were always a strong role model for me, and I admired how, despite your difficult life and despite the loss of your beloved husband and your two children, you still had the strength to carry on.

Your thoughtful, calm, and experienced way of living will always remain an absolute example to me. How beautiful, entertaining, enriching, and joyful it was to spend time with you will live on in me forever. A strong woman, a loving mother, a compassionate and ever-helpful sister and aunt.

I am happy that Robert was always by your side and accompanied you on your final journey.

I could continue this tribute endlessly.

Yole, I will miss you forever and ever. I love you more than anything.

Sonja Haddad

Sonja Haddad
May 09, 2026 11:02 am
Mrs Bennoun we will cherish the times we have had a cuppa with you talking families, Warrnambool and your beloved Geelong Cats. When I would ring you would ask 'Are you home (in W'bool). The ocean was special to you and me. Love Jeanette & Garry Bell

Jeanette Bell
May 08, 2026 2:22 pm
Dearest Yolanda, confidante, mentor, best friend of our late mother, Lorna and lifelong friend to us all. With such a heavy heart and love we say Goodbye.
Rest In Peace.
Love to Robert, Carey, Christian lovely Great Grandchildren and families
Denise, Sophie, Troy and families

Denise Borton
May 08, 2026 9:09 am
Farewell lovely Mrs Bennoun. I enjoyed your cheerful, bright presence. Rest now

Rama Cunningham
May 07, 2026 12:33 pm
Dear Robert and family. Sincere condolences for your loss. Yolanda was an amazing person. I loved seeing her posts on Facebook and her cheeky comments on my posts. A life well lived. She rests in the light and love. Eamonn

Eamonn Murphy
May 07, 2026 11:37 am
We met Yolanda only a year ago, but felt like we knew her for a long time from the stories and pictures shared by Robert over the years. She was so elegant and so warm and welcoming. When my husband realised she spoke Arabic, and started a conversation with her, we were amazed and amused by her perfect Egyptian arabic. She asked my husband if he would like to play "Sheesh-Beesh", a middle eastern board game. They played few rounds and she won in all of them!

She was so kind and so generous and had a cheeky sense of humour. She was so Italian, so middle eastern and so Australian, all at the same time! What an incredible woman. What a rich life filled with unmatched adventures. A life fully lived. May her memory be a blessing!

Our deepest condolences to our dearest friend, Robert.

Neichu, Yaron and Shohn Mayer

Neichu Mayet
May 07, 2026 11:19 am
Yola we first met through Mary in our teenage years,the fun we had made heaps of memories never to be forgotten. Then the weddings at Pigalle (mine included) the Bennouns were always around downtown always a big hello if we met on the street. A wonderful family.
In later years chats on fb I shared many photos and videos of my morning walks along the beach which I know you loved to see and always comments back and forth. I will miss you and your chats. I will miss that. Your have earned your rest beautiful lady RIP now with Maurice, Mary &Philip in heaven. Much love to Robert and the family love Lynette Slessar 🙏❤️

Lynette Slessar-Kuriger
May 07, 2026 10:34 am
Repose En Paix ….Yolande Bennoun
Touched the heart of many and left so many happy memories to be cherished … always such a big smile and warm laughter …sincere condolences Robert and grandchildren and great grandchildren .

Michelle Hoy (Harper)
May 07, 2026 10:00 am
My neighbour /my friend/l’ll miss you/ thanks youla for you wit , wisdom and caring way of others/ bye Neil Selma Rose Chris Welton.

Neil Welton
May 07, 2026 9:30 am
Robert a privilege to have known Yola her life and experiences she had over her 102 years the many stories off her life and travel.
Yola will sadly be missed by many.
Rest in peace now

Jackie Busse
May 07, 2026 8:08 am
Thank you for all the time we have spent together, on line I am going to miss our daily chats. My sympathy to Robert and your family RIP my friend

Marion MacLeod
May 07, 2026 8:00 am
Such a wonderful and strong lady. Born with kind heart and loving people. Her love will remain in our heart. May her peacefully move on to her journey.

Soe
May 06, 2026 11:46 pm
Will miss you, Yola. Thank you for our shared role as godmother to Sophie (Borton) and for helping me get into university with all your excellent French tutoring ( many years ago!)
So much appreciation from all the Edwards family for the enduring solid friendship.

Margaret Hogarth
May 06, 2026 6:01 pm
How lucky I am to have known someone who makes saying goodbye so hard - a brave, gracious, intelligent and inspiring friend, whose long life enriched many. Sincere sympathy to Robert, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Anne Yule
May 06, 2026 5:18 pm
So sorry for your loss Robert, such an amazing lovely lady, I always enjoyed our catch ups.

Jan Smith
May 06, 2026 4:37 pm

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20 responses to “BENNOUN, Yolanda Lucia”

Jenny Keating says:

May 15, 2026 at 6:38 am

Thank you Yole for being you and welcoming me into your life 50 years ago..your engagement with life has always been so powerful…a being here now, working hard, laughing and finding laughter …it isn’t an accident that people remember you with such sweet fondness..you wove yourself into hearts and minds with a calm and spiritual presence of heart and mind .. your food and fun, your energy and patience have all left deep impressions and memories in my heart …I will enjoy you every day for the rest of my life x̌
Tony & Viv Marno says:

May 14, 2026 at 6:10 am

Dear Yole, an exceptional woman and a beautiful soul, she’s everything I would like to be. Courageous, with a great capacity to love and laugh and make the most of life. She was very special and will be terribly missed by us all. The world won’t be quite the same without her.
Arrivederci Yole. Love you so much. God Bless.
Isobel Phillips says:

May 13, 2026 at 9:58 am

Thinking of you Robert, remembering your dear Mother, and my thoughts are with you today.
Isobel Phillips
Irene (who knew you first in China) says:

May 10, 2026 at 9:18 am

To dear Yola, “Mum” to many, thank-you for showing and sharing a Life well-lived, with warmth, wit, and wisdom. For your care and help in so many different languages and locations, with joy and humor —whatever life brought. Your autobiography couldn’t contain it all, but each photo shows it shining through! Travel well, and be with us always!
Joyce D.Gordon says:

May 10, 2026 at 1:10 am

Rest in Peace, Yolanda. Thank you for gracing the world. My deepest condolences to the whole family, especially Robert. I hope the memory of your love will always continue to live on.
Sonja Haddad says:

May 9, 2026 at 11:02 am

Meine liebe Yole, ich bin so froh, daß ich Dir zu Lebzeiten
immer wieder gesagt und geschrieben habe, wie sehr ich Dich liebe. Du warst immer ein starkes Vorbild für mich und ich habe Dich dafür bewundert, wie Du trotz Deines nicht einfachen Lebens und trotz des Verlustes Deines geliebten Mannes und der Verluste Deiner beiden Kinder die Stärke hattest, weiter zu machen.
Deine überlegte, ruhige und erfahrene Lebensweise wird für mich immer ein absolutes Vorbild bleiben. Wie schön, unterhaltend, bereichernd und fröhlich das Beisammensein mit Dir war, wird unvergesslich in mir weiterleben. Eine starke Frau, eine liebevolle Mutter, eine einfühlsame und immer helfende Schwester und Tante.
Glücklich, dass Robert immer bei Dir war und Dich auf Deiner letzten Reise begleitet hat.
Ich könnte den Beitrag unendlich fortsetzen.
Yole, ich werde Dich immer und immer vermissen. Ich liebe Dich über alles.
Sonja Haddad

Translation:
My dear Yole,

I am so grateful that during your lifetime I told you again and again, both in words and in writing, how much I love you. You were always a strong role model for me, and I admired how, despite your difficult life and despite the loss of your beloved husband and your two children, you still had the strength to carry on.

Your thoughtful, calm, and experienced way of living will always remain an absolute example to me. How beautiful, entertaining, enriching, and joyful it was to spend time with you will live on in me forever. A strong woman, a loving mother, a compassionate and ever-helpful sister and aunt.

I am happy that Robert was always by your side and accompanied you on your final journey.

I could continue this tribute endlessly.

Yole, I will miss you forever and ever. I love you more than anything.

Sonja Haddad
Jeanette Bell says:

May 8, 2026 at 2:22 pm

Mrs Bennoun we will cherish the times we have had a cuppa with you talking families, Warrnambool and your beloved Geelong Cats. When I would ring you would ask ‘Are you home (in W’bool). The ocean was special to you and me. Love Jeanette & Garry Bell
Denise Borton says:

May 8, 2026 at 9:09 am

Dearest Yolanda, confidante, mentor, best friend of our late mother, Lorna and lifelong friend to us all. With such a heavy heart and love we say Goodbye.
Rest In Peace.
Love to Robert, Carey, Christian lovely Great Grandchildren and families
Denise, Sophie, Troy and families
Rama Cunningham says:

May 7, 2026 at 12:33 pm

Farewell lovely Mrs Bennoun. I enjoyed your cheerful, bright presence. Rest now
Eamonn Murphy says:

May 7, 2026 at 11:37 am

Dear Robert and family. Sincere condolences for your loss. Yolanda was an amazing person. I loved seeing her posts on Facebook and her cheeky comments on my posts. A life well lived. She rests in the light and love. Eamonn
Neichu Mayet says:

May 7, 2026 at 11:19 am

We met Yolanda only a year ago, but felt like we knew her for a long time from the stories and pictures shared by Robert over the years. She was so elegant and so warm and welcoming. When my husband realised she spoke Arabic, and started a conversation with her, we were amazed and amused by her perfect Egyptian arabic. She asked my husband if he would like to play “Sheesh-Beesh”, a middle eastern board game. They played few rounds and she won in all of them!

She was so kind and so generous and had a cheeky sense of humour. She was so Italian, so middle eastern and so Australian, all at the same time! What an incredible woman. What a rich life filled with unmatched adventures. A life fully lived. May her memory be a blessing!

Our deepest condolences to our dearest friend, Robert.

Neichu, Yaron and Shohn Mayer
Lynette Slessar-Kuriger says:

May 7, 2026 at 10:34 am

Yola we first met through Mary in our teenage years,the fun we had made heaps of memories never to be forgotten. Then the weddings at Pigalle (mine included) the Bennouns were always around downtown always a big hello if we met on the street. A wonderful family.
In later years chats on fb I shared many photos and videos of my morning walks along the beach which I know you loved to see and always comments back and forth. I will miss you and your chats. I will miss that. Your have earned your rest beautiful lady RIP now with Maurice, Mary &Philip in heaven. Much love to Robert and the family love Lynette Slessar 🙏❤️
Michelle Hoy (Harper) says:

May 7, 2026 at 10:00 am

Repose En Paix ….Yolande Bennoun
Touched the heart of many and left so many happy memories to be cherished … always such a big smile and warm laughter …sincere condolences Robert and grandchildren and great grandchildren .
Neil Welton says:

May 7, 2026 at 9:30 am

My neighbour /my friend/l’ll miss you/ thanks youla for you wit , wisdom and caring way of others/ bye Neil Selma Rose Chris Welton.
Jackie Busse says:

May 7, 2026 at 8:08 am

Robert a privilege to have known Yola her life and experiences she had over her 102 years the many stories off her life and travel.
Yola will sadly be missed by many.
Rest in peace now
Marion MacLeod says:

May 7, 2026 at 8:00 am

Thank you for all the time we have spent together, on line I am going to miss our daily chats. My sympathy to Robert and your family RIP my friend
Soe says:

May 6, 2026 at 11:46 pm

Such a wonderful and strong lady. Born with kind heart and loving people. Her love will remain in our heart. May her peacefully move on to her journey.
Margaret Hogarth says:

May 6, 2026 at 6:01 pm

Will miss you, Yola. Thank you for our shared role as godmother to Sophie (Borton) and for helping me get into university with all your excellent French tutoring ( many years ago!)
So much appreciation from all the Edwards family for the enduring solid friendship.
Anne Yule says:

May 6, 2026 at 5:18 pm

How lucky I am to have known someone who makes saying goodbye so hard – a brave, gracious, intelligent and inspiring friend, whose long life enriched many. Sincere sympathy to Robert, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jan Smith says:

May 6, 2026 at 4:37 pm

So sorry for your loss Robert, such an amazing lovely lady, I always enjoyed our catch ups.