Rolska, whose off-stage name was Regina Rollinger-Jonkajtys, was laid to rest at Warsaw's Powązki Military Cemetery on Thursday.
Her funeral began with a mass at the Church of the Creative Communities on the Polish capital's Teatralny Square, marking the end of an era in Polish culture.
Rolska, who died on August 27 at the age of 92, was a familiar voice on Polish Radio, during a time when radio was the main source of entertainment and culture.
Her career took off in 1955 as a soloist with the Polish Radio Dance Orchestra, and she became a star in the program Podwieczorek przy mikrofonie (Teatime at the Microphone), where she famously played a schoolgirl.
Rena Rolska. Photo: Hartwig Edward/NAC
The turning point in her career came with the 1959 song Nie oczekuję dziś nikogo, by famed composer Witold Lutosławski writing under the pseudonym Derwid.
The song won the Song of the Month Poll, catapulting her to national fame and leading to performances at major festivals.
Rolska was the recipient of many awards, including being honored twice with the prestigious Golden Microphone.
Regina Rollinger-Jonkajtys, known by her stage name Rena Rolska. Photo: NAC/Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe, Public domain
During the funeral service, Fr. Andrzej Luter highlighted her unforgettable voice and impeccable diction, describing her as a symbol of class, style and elegance.
Aleksandra Jagiełło-Skupińska, reading a letter from Culture Minister Hanna Wróblewska, recounted Rolska's contributions to Polish culture, emphasizing her ability to convey emotions and warmth.
Krzysztof Szuster, head of the Association of Polish Stage Artists, reminisced about how Rolska's songs were hummed across Poland, touching several generations.
Her ashes were interred at the Powązki Military Cemetery, which holds the remains of many famous Poles, state news agency PAP reported.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, dzieje.pl