In 2025, Warsaw mourned the deaths of several distinguished citizens, including actors, artists, athletes, and wartime veterans, as the city reflected on its recently departed notable figures.
Stanisław Tym, Actor & Writer (1937–2024)
Stanisław Tym, born 17 July 1937, was a celebrated Polish actor, playwright, and satirist known for his work on stage and in acclaimed films such as Misia and Rysia. He co‑wrote popular comedies, including Rozmów kontrolowanych and Rejs, and recreated the famous character Ryszard Ochódzki. Tym wrote numerous columns for the cycle “Pies czyli Kot” featured in the weekly Polityka. He passed away in Warsaw on 6 December 2024.
Marcin Wicha, Graphic Designer & Author (1972–2025)
Marcin Wicha, a Warsaw‑born graphic designer and essayist, died 24 January 2025. The 2018 Nike Literary Award winner for Rzeczy, których nie wyrzuciłem, also earned the Nike Readers prize and a 2017 Paszport Polityki. His books, including Jak przestałem kochać design, are complemented by a prolific career designing book covers, posters, and graphic signs for publications such as Tygodnik Powszechny and Polityka.
Wojciech Stanisław Trzciński, Composer & Musician (1949–2025)
Wojciech Stanisław Trzciński, born 22 July 1949, was a composer, pianist, guitarist, arranger, conductor and music producer who shaped Polish popular music. He wrote hits such as Odpływają kawiarenki for Irena Jarocka and Staruszek świat for Anna Jantar and co‑composed the oratorio Kolęda‑Nocka. Trzciński led Gdynia Musical Theatre, served as music director of Polish Radio Program I, and was deputy director of TVP1’s artistic department. In 2003 he opened the Fabryka Trzciny artistic center in Warsaw’s Pradze district. He received the Creator of Culture title (2004), the Kisiel Award (2006), and the Bronze (2005) and Gold (2024) Gloria Artis medals.
Sylwester Kaczyński, Boxer & Trainer (1937–2025)
Sylwester Kaczyński, born 25 October 1937 in Warsaw, died 1 February 2025. The former Legia Warsaw boxer claimed the national middleweight title three times (1965, 1968, 1969) and led the club to eight team championships. Over 365 bouts, he recorded 319 victories, 8 draws and 38 defeats, and represented Poland in four internationals with a 3‑1 tally. He never suffered a knockout and later worked as a trainer for Warsaw fighters. Kaczyński is interred at the Northern Communal Cemetery.
Maria Szypowska, “Myszka”, WWII Resistance Fighter (1929–2025)
Maria Szypowska, alias “Myszka,” born 29 December 1929 in the Wołyń region, died 19 February 2025 at 95. She served in the Home Army and joined the Warsaw Uprising, fighting at the IV “Gurt” Group of the I “Radwan” unit at the field hospital on Złotej 58. As a teenager she aided the uprising’s medical facilities under her codename. After the war she married Major Michał Szypowski, pseudonym “Nemo.” Her death was reported by the Warsaw Uprising Museum and the Office for Veterans and Repressed. In recent years she received care from soldiers of the 4th Warmian‑Masurian Territorial Defense Brigade.
Joanna Dorota Kołaczkowska, Cabaret Actress & Radio Host (1966–2025)
Joanna Dorota Kołaczkowska, born 22 June 1966 in Polkowice, died 17 July 2025 in Konstancin‑Jeziorna. The cabaret performer, playwright, and radio host had a long association with the groups Potem and Hrabi, giving lively performances and crafting engaging scripts.
Halina Jędrzejewska, “Sławka”, Orthopedist & Resistance Liaison (1926–2025)
Halina Jędrzejewska, née Dudzikówna and known as “Sławka,” born 19 October 1926 in Warsaw, passed away 31 July 2025. She was an orthopedist, a Home Army liaison, and a field medic for the “Miotła” battalion of the Radosław grouping. She later served as president of the Warsaw Uprising Fighters Association and was bestowed the title Honorary Citizen of Warsaw.
Jerzy Maciej Dziewulski, Police Officer & Politician (1943–2025)
Jerzy Maciej Dziewulski, born 15 December 1943 in Warsaw, died 11 August 2025. The former policeman rose to an anti‑terrorism commander, leading the Okęcie Airport unit after service in the Civil Militia’s criminal division. Trained in the United States, Israel and France, he participated in numerous counter‑terrorist missions, notably co‑leading the Polish operation “Most” in the early 1990s. He also served as a member of the Sejm across the first four terms and was an adviser to President Aleksander Kwaśniewski on security matters.