Danuta Reutt Karol RIP

The Requiem Mass for Danuta Reutt Karol, 3 January 1937 - 6 June 2026 will take place at the London Oratory on Thursday, 6 July 2026 at 11am.

For almost half a century, Danuta Reutt Karol devoted herself to preserving and promoting Polish song within the Polish émigré and British communities. With a repertoire of more than 500 songs across many genres, she was especially passionate about patriotic music and ensuring that Poland's cultural heritage would be passed on to future generations. Her warm, distinctive alto voice, wide range and clear diction made her a memorable performer, whether singing with guitar, piano or accompanying musicians.

Danuta was born in Równe, Wołyń, in 1937, the daughter of Major Tomasz Reutt, a Polish Army officer, and Halina Konopko. Her godfather was Marshal Edward Rydz- Śmigły. As a child, she experienced the horrors of the Warsaw Uprising and, after the war, was resettled with her mother and brother in Częstochowa. Despite hardship during the Communist period, she was an able student and studied engineering.

A visit to her father in Britain led to her settling in London in the late 1950s. There she married Arkadiusz Karol, a Polish soldier of Monte Cassino, raised a family, and later became a much-loved grandmother. She first worked in haute couture, before building a successful career as a Structural Engineer.

From the 1970s, Danuta became a much-loved performer in the Polish community. She sang at the official opening of POSK in 1974, at Sadler's Wells for Polish Combatants, at Ognisko Polskie, ZASP anniversaries, commemorations of the Polish Home Army, and concerts throughout Britain.

In 2001 she performed in Poland at the Museum of Independence. She worked with distinguished musicians and composers, including Romuald Chudzikowski, who wrote many songs for her. Danuta also composed and wrote lyrics herself, including the Hymn Polonii.

She brought Polish music to British audiences too, performing in clubs and at community events, and remained active in Richmond's live music scene well into later life.

She also published a book of poetry, Rytm Życia Emigracji, and wrote for the Polish press.

Danuta's faith was central to her life. Deeply devoted to Our Lady of Częstochowa, the last hymn she sang in hospital was the Hymn to the Black Madonna.

Through determination, hard work and generosity of spirit, she rebuilt her life after loss and displacement, supported the Church and many good causes, and brought warmth, laughter and joy to all who knew her.

We will be publishing a full obituary soon.