Wanda Trachik-Stavska, A Participant In The Warsaw Uprising, Has Passed Away
- 19.08.2026, 13:22
She was 99 years old.
At the age of 99, Wanda Trachik-Stavska, known by the pseudonym “Pączek” (“Pączek”)—a participant in the Warsaw Uprising, a member of the “Gray Ranks” organization and the Home Army, a psychologist, and a tireless guardian of the memory of the capital’s struggle. Her death was announced by Michał Szczerba, a Member of the European Parliament from the “Civic Coalition.”
Wanda Trachik-Stavska was born on April 7, 1927, in Warsaw. Before the war, she lived on Dolna Street and was a member of the Harcerki (the Polish Girl Scouts). During the German occupation, she became involved in underground activities.
As a member of the “Gray Ranks” scout group, she participated in acts of minor sabotage, as well as in Operation “N”—sabotage and propaganda activities directed against the occupiers. As part of these activities, she also delivered letters to individuals sentenced to death by the Polish Underground State.
During the Warsaw Uprising, she served as a riflewoman and liaison in the Cover Units of the Military Publishing Offices of the Information and Propaganda Bureau of the Home Army High Command. She supported the insurgent units and later fought herself. On September 6, 1944, she was seriously wounded on Smolna Street. After the surrender, she was taken prisoner by the Germans and held in prisoner-of-war camps. She returned to her homeland in 1947.
After the war, she graduated from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Warsaw and worked as a teacher for many years. She was particularly active in locating and documenting the graves of insurgents in Warsaw. It was thanks to her efforts that the Hall of Remembrance at the Warsaw Insurgents’ Cemetery was established, and she herself initiated the ongoing care of this necropolis. She was also one of the initiators of designating October 2 as the Day of Remembrance for the civilian insurgent population of Warsaw. In the final years of her life, she served as chair of the Public Committee for the Warsaw Insurgents’ Cemetery.
Wanda Trachik-Stavska met with Belarusian political prisoners and journalists from the website Charter97.org. The Warsaw Uprising participant expressed solidarity with Belarusians fighting for their country’s freedom.
The editorial staff of the website Charter97.org extends its condolences to the family and friends of Wanda Trachik-Stavska.
Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims
You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com
