WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Myril Alpert Filler, 97, of Green River Road, Williamstown, died at home in the circle of her family on Saturday, November 12, 2016. 

She was born in Revere, Mass., to Russian Jewish immigrants Nathan and Clara Alpert on November 2, 1919. Myril studied economics and sociology, graduated from Simmons College in 1942, and worked as a civil servant In Boston and for the Federal War Labor Board in Washington before discovering she loved teaching. As a volunteer at an organization promoting civil rights, labor rights and political education, she met her future husband Maury Filler in 1946. 

They married and moved to Williamstown in 1948 and she worked as a substitute teacher until their son Nick was born, in 1951. In 1954 Myril and Maury started mail-order educational book business to sell publisher’s overstock to high school and college libraries across North America. 

Myril devoted herself to her husband, children and grandchildren, and they have been devoted to her with gratitude.

Myril  was predeceased by Maury, who died just over five months ago. She was also predeceased by her sisters Pauline D’Orlando of New Orleans, La., and Lorraine Lindenbaum of Denver, Colo., and her brother David Alpert of San Francisco, Calif. 

She is survived by her son Nick (and Colleen) Filler of Conway, Mass.; her daughter Joan Filler (and Matt Evangelista) of Ithaca, N.Y.; grandchildren Alex Filler of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Rose Filler of New York, N.Y., Caroline Filler of Conway, Mass., Clara Evangelista Filler of Lima, Peru, and Marielle Evangelista Filler of Portland, Ore.; nieces Faye Lindenbaum of Denver, Colo., and Robin, Sharon, LauraMae, (Kate Reber) and Didi Alpert and great-nephew Soli Alpert, all of San Francisco, Calif.; and cousins Ralph, (Zelda Stern) Bradburd of Williamstown, B Bradburd of Northampton, Mass., Gideon (Marge Weber) Bradburd and newborn cousin Eloise Wolf Weber-Bradburd of East Lansing, Mich.; and many other beloved nieces, nephews cousins and their children and grandchildren.

Funeral notice: A private burial at Southlawn Cemetery in Williamstown will be on Wednesday, November 23, 2016. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Myril’s name to Heifer Project International can be made at heifer.org.