Maria Dolors Laffitte, a leading figures in Catalan and Occitan folk music, died February 15 at Hospital Josep Trueta in Girona (Spain). She was 59.

Maria Dolors Laffitte i Masjoan was born in Roda de Ter, Spain in August of 1949. She was a singer songwriter who researched and recovered Catalan folk music, Medieval minstrel music, Early Music, Sephardic songs and Catalan poetry.

Maria started singing when she was 8 years old. Her first recording came out when she was only , titled Cançons Occitanes (Occitan Songs). She released more than 40 recordings, including solo albums and collaborations.