Miriam Alk, formerly of Fair Lawn, N.J., passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, following a long illness.

She was born Jan. 1, 1924, near Bialystock, Poland, to Chaya Basha and Isidore Reiff. She came to the United States in 1927 and lived in Passaic with her parents and siblings Chaim, Esther and Max.

Miriam married Abe Alk in 1950 and worked as executive secretary to the director of the North Jersey YM & YWHA for 30 years. She was the editor of the Y's weekly newspaper, The Criterion, as well as a speechwriter for Y executives. She also served as a Yiddish translator, providing services to newly-arrived immigrants.

Miriam was an avid folk dancer, and she and her husband were members of several international folk dance groups. She was also a member of the Y Women's Club and the Fair Lawn Seniors Group. A voracious reader all her life, she was an active participant in many book clubs.

Following a serious illness last year, Miriam moved from Fair Lawn, where she had lived for over 30 years, to Amherst to live with her daughter, Judy Alk Karren, and son-in-law, Ron Karren.

She enjoyed listening to klezmer and classical music, visits from friends and family, and spending time at Cape Cod. But her most recent and greatest joy was playing with her great-grandson, Noah.

Along with her daughter and son-in-law, Miriam is survived by her grandchildren, Mitchell Karren, Joshua Karren and Kati Degen Karren; a great-grandson, Noah Degen Karren; and many loving nieces and nephews.