This page is dedicated to the memory of deceased Colleagues associated with the Centre for Foreign Language Teaching and the former School of Foreign Languages of the University of Warsaw. Their work, commitment, and presence remain a part of our community’s memory.
Marek Blichewicz
October 23
“He who lives in the memory of the living does not die.”
— Rev. Jan Twardowski
I first met Marek many years ago when I was still an English philology student in Warsaw. Marek was my lecturer at the time – he taught phonetics. I remembered him as an exceptional, slightly eccentric, yet fascinating person. He spoke slowly, thoughtfully, with that characteristic calmness that distinguished him so much. His specific sense of humor – always with a stone face – could amuse the whole company.
Even then, you could feel that he was a deeply reflective and, at the same time, extremely kind person. Even though I only received a ‘good’ grade for the course, I had no regrets – because Marek was a teacher who taught not only the subject, but also how to look at the world with distance, calmness, and a smile.
Many years later, our paths crossed again – this time in another unit of the University of Warsaw, at the School of Foreign Languages, today CNJO, where Marek worked until his retirement. By then, we were colleagues. And it was then that I fully understood what a wonderful person he was.
Marek was an extremely warm and cordial colleague. He always had time for others – he could listen, advise, support with a good word, and sometimes even give a lift if someone needed it. In conversations, he asked questions that showed he really listened and remembered. He was interested in people, cared about them, and at the same time treated everyone with tact and respect – regardless of their position or role. I think there are very few people like that today.
He loved books – and willingly shared them. He gave me a few himself. But what I will remember most are his wishes. No one could express wishes like Marek – they were always the most beautiful, thoughtful, full of warmth and wisdom.
The world without Marek will, of course, continue. But for me – and for many of his friends and colleagues – this world has become poorer, quieter, and sadder today.
Farewell, Marek. Thank you for your kindness, for your presence, for your peace and humor, which so often brightened our days.
Marek Blichewicz’s funeral took place on October 23 at the Northern Communal Cemetery in Warsaw.
Ela Habielska
Marta Serwatowska
October 18, 2024
We are deeply saddened to announce that we have received news of the passing of Marta Serwatowska, MA, a retired English teacher.
Marta Serwatowska’s funeral took place on October 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Dominican Church in Służew.
Monika Takeuchi
October 18, 2023 – November 3, 2023
Monika Takeuchi was one of the first people who caught my attention at the School of Foreign Languages. Monika was hard not to notice due to her exceptional beauty: a storm of red curls, classic facial features, a beautiful smile, and elegant attire. I was drawn in by her stories about traveling the world and working at British and Japanese universities.
I very much wanted to establish a closer acquaintance, but Monika seemed to be an unapproachable person. I heard many stories from colleagues about her uncompromising nature, as well as her high expectations of students and peers. It all intimidated me.
Today I know that she was an exceptional teacher, with impressive knowledge, teaching skills, and experience. For many years I circled around Monika, but it was only after over a dozen years that I dared to take the first step and strike up a conversation. Our acquaintance evolved gradually, over the years.
Until the very end, I was getting to know Monika and was impressed by her intelligence and knowledge, and at the same time, her sensitivity and warmth. The last year of her life revealed other traits of hers, such as her bravery and strength in the unequal fight against illness. In one of our last conversations, Monika confessed to me that she misses working with students very much.
She worked at the School of Foreign Languages for 30 years. For many years she was associated with the Italian Studies department, and later she specialized in conducting English language courses with a legal profile at the highest levels of proficiency. She was proud of her book dedicated to students of the Faculty of Law: English in Legal Context, published by PWN.
Her death filled me with deep sadness and made me realize that some people are irreplaceable. Monika Takeuchi died on October 18, 2023, and was buried on November 3 at the Old Powązki cemetery.
Ela Habielska
The management and staff of the Centre for Foreign Language Teaching bid farewell with great sorrow to our colleague, a long-term English lecturer at our unit. She will remain in our memory.
Krystyna Więcko
August 30
As a long-term employee of the School of Foreign Languages at the University of Warsaw, Krystyna Więcko was associated for many years with the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and Resocialization and the Faculty of Law. She was a wonderful English teacher, reliable, wise, always perfectly prepared for classes, constantly learning and developing.
She willingly engaged in various works for the School, including preparing materials for students to be used by other teachers. She was the co-author of a script for Law students. She could cooperate excellently in a team. She was always dependable.
She was an extremely helpful, warm, smiling person, never in conflict with anyone. Everyone perceived her as a very good colleague, always listening to others with attention, fair, honest, and kind to others. She was very modest and brave, socialized, and sensitive.
After leaving work, she maintained constant contact, came to holiday meetings, and attended the School’s 60th-anniversary celebration.
We will remember Krystyna Więcko as an exceptional person, cheerful, warm, and always elegant. Colleagues who worked with her appreciatively emphasized her teaching competencies, high personal culture, and comradeship. Her passing so early fills us with sadness. It is a great loss for the CNJO community.
The farewell took place on Wednesday, August 30 at 1:00 PM at the funeral home at Powązki Wojskowe.
The funeral took place at 2:30 PM – Gate VI of Old Powązki.
Andrzej Dąbrowski
Marta Osiak
April 8, 2021
It is with great sadness that we inform you about the death of Marta Osiak, MA, a long-term employee of the School of Foreign Languages of the University of Warsaw, an English language teacher.
Ms. Marta Osiak was deeply liked by her Colleagues from the School of Foreign Languages, and she was also very much liked and appreciated by her students. Her work, always performed at the highest level, and her attitude full of kindness will remain in our memory.
Zofia Błaszczyk
April 8, 2020 – April 16, 2020
I met Ms. Zofia Błaszczyk a long time ago when I started working at our school.
One day, she invited me for the first time to her Name Day, which she always celebrated solemnly on May 15. I remember my surprise very well when, entering her apartment, in the living room instead of aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered around the table, next to Ms. Zofia I saw her friend Rev. Jan Twardowski, Zygmunt Broniarek, a journalist, columnist, polyglot speaking 8 languages, and Ryszard Rembiszewski, Mr. Lotto, a Polish language teacher and Ms. Zofia’s colleague from the Władysław IV High School, where she started working right after graduation.
On the occasion of her Name Day in May and her Birthday in September, Ms. Zofia opened the hospitable doors of her home on Zwycięzców Street in Saska Kępa. And at these Name Days or Birthdays, apart from those already mentioned, guests included – from near and far – ambassadors, journalists, former students – classes from the Władysław IV High School in Praga, numerous graduates of the University of Warsaw: diplomats, embassy employees, scientists, professors, doctors, and doctoral candidates of UW, scholarship holders, English teachers and teachers of other subjects, lower and higher-ranking officials, mayors and deputy mayors, etc., etc.
Ms. Zofia knew everyone by name, and she had taught the vast majority of them. In May, they came with armfuls of tulips, lilies of the valley, and lilacs. There were original poems about Zofia, handwritten on decorative cards, solemnly read out. There were guitars, wine, and singing.
Let me quote Zygmunt Broniarek:
“Speaking of ladies, it is impossible not to mention a certain… English teacher. This is Zofia Błaszczyk from the University of Warsaw, wife of the editor-in-chief of the ‘Ambasador’ magazine, Stanisław Błaszczyk. I am here to witness the following scene. We are standing with Ms. Zofia, with Professor Longin Pastusiak, with the owner of the ‘Pekin’ Hotel in Władysławowo, Mr. Paweł (…) and with his wife. Suddenly, a young man approaches the table, greets Ms. Zofia and says: ‘Professor, how much I owe you!’. What turns out? This young man is her student, Roman Smogorzewski, today the Mayor of the City of Legionowo. It is, among others, thanks to Ms. Zofia – and of course his own talents – that Mr. Roman can hold such a function. And although Ms. Zofia does not like to talk about it, she is – in the sense not only of TEACHING, but above all of HAVING TAUGHT English – the co-creator of many representatives of young Polish elites.”
Ms. Zofia loved life, traveling, Sopot, classical music, and the Warsaw Philharmonic, but above all, people. She was able to notice another human being, to be delighted by them; in every person, she saw an outstanding, unique, wonderful figure. She didn’t talk much about herself.
She was able to create friendly bonds and maintain them for years. She remembered the name days, birthdays, and anniversaries of friends and acquaintances, sending hundreds of cards and gifts. She gathered a multitude of people around her.
Throughout the years of our acquaintance, she was also present in my life, which is very important to me.
She passed away on April 8, 2020. Due to the pandemic, only the closest Family attended the funeral. On April 16, 2020, Ms. Zofia was laid to rest at the Powązki Military Cemetery.
Małgosia
Dr. Krystyna Paszkowska-Hoppe
February 28, 2015
It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to our dear Colleague Dr. Krystyna Paszkowska-Hoppe, retired senior lecturer of the English language, former deputy Head of the School of Foreign Languages at UW, and long-time Head of the English Language Team.
An excellent Teacher and Educator of thousands of students of the University of Warsaw. A modest and kind person.
We express our deepest sympathy to her Husband and Daughter.
Colleagues, employees, and Management of the School of Foreign Languages UW
Anna Chachulska-Julien
August 20, 2014
On August 20, 2014, Anna Chachulska-Julien, MA, passed away from our midst.
Retired senior lecturer of the English language, long-time Head of the English Language Team and Deputy Head of the School of Foreign Languages at UW.
Ania was an extremely kind person to everyone she worked with – students, teachers, and administrative staff. She was characterized by high personal culture, nobility, and sensitivity.
We bid farewell to a beautiful Figure, who will remain for us not only a model of an academic teacher’s work, but also a Friend dear to our hearts.
The Management and employees of the School of Foreign Languages of the University of Warsaw