Bernice “Bunny” Olenick, 87, executive producer

From Cynthia Broner

WGBH notes the passing of lifelong activist and former ’GBHer Bernice “Bunny” Olenick on 12/22. Bunny joined the sports and specials unit at WGBH in 1976 as an assistant working on tennis programming.

(Historical note: In 1963, WGBH introduced tennis to American TV, with sportscaster Bud Collins and the National Doubles from Longwood Cricket Club.)

Moving to unit manager and eventually becoming an executive producer, she created cultural programming including ice ballets featuring Olympic skaters, musicals on political themes, and the series Soundings, noted for making contemporary music more accessible to general audiences.

She won both a Regional Emmy and an International Monitor Award for her work.

“Bunny had a real passion for creating more arts programming on WGBH and combined it with a can-do attitude that made the most of her opportunities,” says former WGBH President Henry Becton. “She was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed.”

A memorial service was held in Brookline.