The French pianist Yvonne Loriod, born in Houilles, on the north-western outskirts of Paris, died on 17 May 2010. She was second wife of Olivier Messiaen; a great pianist, who performed many of her husband's compositions, and of his contemporaries.

Two years after Messiaen's first wife, the composer and violinist Claire Delbos, died in 1959, Loriod and Messiaen married. For the last 30 years of Messiaen's life — he died in 1992 — she acted not only as wife, but also as proofreader, manager, travel agent, interpretator. Then and after his death she kept on plyng and promoting Messiaen's compositions.

[source: www.guardian.co.uk]