Papuziński Stanisław & Papuzińska Zofia (Wędrychowska)

File 8227 Papuziński, Stanisław Wędrychowska-Papuzińska, Zofia The modest apartment of Zofia and Stanisław Papuziński, who lived in the Ochota neighborhood of Warsaw, served as an “address” and temporary hiding place for Jewish children hiding on the Aryan side of the city. From December 1942, after the establishment of the Council for Aid to Jews (ŻEGOTA), Zofia and Stanisław Papuziński worked untiringly, risking their own lives to save Jewish children. Motivated by national duty, and although they themselves were parents to two young children, they placed themselves, disregarding the very real danger to their lives, at the disposal of the ŻEGOTA. Dozens of Jewish children brought to their apartment were treated with warm devotion until they were taken to other places to hide. In her book about the ŻEGOTA, Teresa Prekerowa writes that the Papuzińskis were among the most active members of the organization. Among the children helped by the Papuzińskis were (Chaja) Ester Sztajn (later Teresa Körner), Stefania Wortman and her mother, Krzysztof Groniowski, Halina Złotnik (later Kesler) and Basia Markow, who was the eight-year-old daughter of a theater actor. Following information provided by informants, the Gestapo raided the Papuziński apartment in February 1944. Those hiding in the apartment at the time were shot and Zofia was incarcerated in the Pawiak prison, where she was executed. Her husband Stanisław survived and passed away after the war. On October 22, 1998, Yad Vashem recognized Zofia Wędrychowska-Papuzińska and her husband Stanisław Papuzińkski as Righteous Among the Nations.