Catherine Ringer, who passed away on September 14, 2026, at the age of 68, was a significant figure in French music and performance. She was best known for her work with Fred Chichin in the band Rita Mitsouko, which became a defining voice in 1980s French music. In her later years, Ringer played a crucial role in bringing the poetry of Alice Mendelson to a wider audience. Mendelson, a Polish Jewish poet born in 1925, survived the Vel' d'Hiv roundup during World War II and later became a literature teacher. Though she wrote poetry throughout her life, her work remained largely unpublished until her friendship with Ringer helped bring it to light. Mendelson's poetry was featured in a production titled L’Érotisme de vivre, created at the Théâtre d’Auxerre in February 2022. Catherine Ringer performed these poems numerous times in France and abroad. The collection was first published in 2022 by Rhubarbe in co-edition with the Théâtre d’Auxerre. In January 2026, editions Points published a new collection of Mendelson's poems, selected and presented by Ringer. This collection included writings on desire, men, the body, old age, and the pleasure of being in the world. Mendelson's account of her youth under the Nazi occupation, Une jeunesse sous l’Occupation, was published in 2023 by Grasset and reprinted in pocket format by Tallandier in January 2026. In February 2026, Catherine Ringer further promoted Mendelson's work through L’Instant poésie on France Culture, where she composed a personal anthology that included six of Mendelson's poems. Ringer also included works by other poets such as Nazim Hikmet, Aimé Césaire, and Marceline Desbordes-Valmore. Catherine Ringer's career spanned experimental theater, dance, performance, and music, including a brief period in the 1970s that she later described as her "military service." She met Fred Chichin in 1979, and together they formed the Rita Mitsouko, a musical group known for its unique blend of rock, funk, and electronic music. Their work, including songs like Marcia Baïla and Andy, became iconic in the 1980s. Ringer's final performances included a presentation of L’Érotisme de vivre at the Théâtre de la Ville in February 2026, followed by a return to rock at La Maroquinerie and a performance of Mendelson's poems in Vaulx-en-Velin. Her legacy continues through the rediscovery and promotion of Alice Mendelson's poetry, ensuring her work remains part of the cultural conversation.