Aunt Leyla was born in 1938, in Istanbul, Turkey, to Sara and Pepo Shay. She was their only child. Her original name was Lusi.

Mother of Aunt Leyla was a specialist in the artistic restoration of carpets. Aunt Leyla was known for her talent in the sewing of hand-made, high-quality dresses. She stopped working in this profession after her marriage.

Aunt Leyla married Uncle Yosef Benardete in Bursa, Turkey, in 1957.

They had three children: Shlomo (died three months after birth), Yakup (Yaakov) and Kety.

Aunt Leyla, Uncle Yosef and the children lived in the same house with Grandma Kadem Benardete, in Bursa.

From Left: Yosef, Mair, Leyla, Kadem and Sara

Sitting: Shlomo (son of Mair and Aneta Benardete)

Aunt Leyla passed away on April 10, 1990, (first day of Pesach) in Istanbul. Her grave is in Istanbul, in Arnavutkoy cemetery.

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