Lewy Olfson

Lewy Olfson

April 02, 1937 - August 18, 2025

Send Flowers

Obituary

MADISON - Lewy Olfson, of Madison, Wis., died on August 18, 2025, at age 88. Born on April 2, 1937, in Boston, Mass., Lewy’s love of language blossomed early. He sold his first play, “Infanta,” an adaptation of an Oscar Wilde story, when he was 15. He went on to become a proud graduate of the distinguished theatre training program at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). Lewy was involved in several amateur theatre companies as an actor, director, and script writer. Two of his plays were professionally produced. His twin brother, Ken Olfson, who died in 1997, was a Hollywood film and television actor.


For many years Lewy worked as an editor at a publishing house for educational materials. He was also a freelance writer and author who published a number of books for young people, many of them collections of plays or texts on acting, as well as a variety of materials in the field of education. Among his books are “Glimmer, Glimmer, Glumpkin,” a collection of verses for reading aloud and a children’s story, “Paco and the Pizza.”  In 1970, his most well-known book, “50 Great Scenes for Student Actors,” was published by Bantam Books and remained in print for 24 years selling half a million copies. He also wrote the reference book, “Plot Outlines of 100 Famous Novels: The Second Hundred” (Doubleday/Dolphin).


Lewy moved to Madison in 1986 to become part of the Resident Program at St. Benedict Center (now Holy Wisdom Monastery) to explore his spirituality. Later, he joined the Madison Friends Meeting. Lewy enjoyed singing with the Friends and composed a number of hymns and songs that are still sung by members today.


Lewy was known for his baking, which he shared generously, and for his love of theatre, music, art, and travel. Most of all he was known for his gift of friendship, of being able to make community and family wherever he went. He will be widely missed.


May his memory be a blessing.


It was Lewy’s wish that anyone caring to make a charitable gift in his memory consider organizations working on behalf of human dignity and civil rights. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590

Events

There are no events for Lewy yet.

Photos

Add photos
of Lewy
Memorial wall photoMemorial wall photoMemorial wall photoMemorial wall photo

Memories

Add a memory of
Lewy
SP
Steven Post
Other •
Lewy Olfson was a great soul. He had the gift of connection and found many adoptive families over the miles and years. Ours was blessed to be one of them. -steven and victoria
A
Ann
Other •
Lewy was a well loved friend of my family during his time in Stonington CT In fact, for some years before moving to Wisconsin he lived with my parents. I was in California at the time. For many years after his move, at Xmas time my dad would bake him a tin of snicker doodles. Lewy directed my dad in a play called The Professor and while I was in grammar school, directed me in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Lewy always had a joke or an amusing story. I only visited him once in Madison, and enjoyed the visit immensely, being shown around St. Benedicts and catching up on life. He will be missed. So many thanks to Steve for the email updates. The very Best, Ann Watkins
PW
Peggy Weaver
Other •
I met Lewy as a participant at The Resident Program during his time at St. Benedict Center. He has been a friend ever since. We had reunions for years after, and I was always amazed at Lewy’s memory of people and events in our lives. I will miss his humor, his wisdom, and his unique take on life.
N
Nina
Other •
Goodbye, Lewy? Oh, no, never! You’ll live with me as you always do, the kind, funny, warm, wise, generous Bachelor Without Buttons.
GM
Gregory L Sheehy MD
Other •
I was honored to be Lewy’s physician before I retired in 2011. What a guy! He was always so kind and friendly. And he always seemed to see the best in every person who crossed his path. I cannot recall any instance where he spoke badly about any person, even those who might have been critical of him. He was a good person who led a good life. I am grateful that our paths crossed. Greg Sheehy
AK
Agnes Kanikula
Other •
In so many ways, Lewy was woven into our family. Our family might not exist at all without his loving counsel and presence on a clearness committee for marriage nearly 40 years ago. Lewy's wisdom, wit, humor and playful spirit brought light and joy to us and to so many others, and we shall remember him in that way. --Agnes, Brian, Ben and Sam

Share memorial