Bari Lee Olevsky

Bari Lee Olevsky, of Revere, Massachusetts, entered into rest on September 28, 2025, at the age of 80. She is survived by her daughter, Teresa, and her son, Tim; her sisters, Andrea Dobson and Sara Lenertz; her brother, Alan Millstein; her daughter-in-law, Susan Navarre; Susan’s mother, Carolyn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bari Millstein grew up in Detroit, Michigan and Appleton, Wisconsin, among other places. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where she met her husband, Howard Olevsky. They married in 1964 and divorced in 1974.

In 1975 she moved to the Boston area with Teresa and Tim. In the late 1970’s, she began pursuing a Master’s Degree in Computer Science at Boston University, while working full time and raising two children. After completing her degree, she worked as a software engineer for numerous companies in the Boston area, including Wang and Honeywell.

During the 1980’s, she volunteered for Mass Choice, running phone banks to help prevent the passage of Question 1, which would have restricted reproductive rights in Massachusetts.

In the 1990’s, she started performing stand-up comedy and eventually added improv comedy to her repertoire. She founded the over-50 improv troupe New Tricks and regularly held improv events where she invited any and all comers to participate.

In the 2000’s, she retired from software and became a SHINE Counselor for Mystic Valley Elder Services, helping North Shore residents find the Medicare plan best suited to their needs. After retiring, she continued to volunteer as a SHINE Counselor at the Jack Satter House in Revere.

She loved to travel. In 1979, she hitchhiked through France for three weeks. Later travels included multiple trips throughout East Asia, Tanzania, and family trips to France, Germany, Czechia, and Canada.

She was an avid reader and movie buff, and she loved all kinds of music. She started up a book club and various film clubs. She loved to hang out with friends and family.

A brief graveside service will be held Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the Greenview area of Beth Israel Cemetery, part of the Fuller Street Cemetery in Everett, Massachusetts. This will be followed by a celebration of life at Rosaria Restaurant, 190 Main Street, Saugus.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mystic Valley Elder Services https://www.mves.org/donate-now/ or the American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org