Lynne (Shapiro) Alpern

Lynne Joy Alpern, age 81, of Houston, TX and Atlanta, GA, died Sunday, December 21, 2025.

She is survived by her children, Kenneth “Ken” Alpern (Alison Kelly) and Eve Alpern (Brenda Morris); grandchildren, Grant Alpern, Verdant Morris and Isaac Morris; brother, Douglas Shapiro (Charlynn); nephew, Aidan Ryder Adams Leighton Shapiro (Lauren Anne Aiosa Morris); and grand-nephew, Luca Piotr Ewing Aiosa Shapiro. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Robert “Bob” J. Alpern, and her parents, Julian and Ruth Shapiro.

When Lynne Alpern was 16, her mother said, “Lynne, you’re funny — you ought to write for television.” But who listens to her mother? So she went to Vanderbilt University, earned a degree in math, and became a medical librarian at Case Western Reserve University.

Lynne was married to Bob (Robert Alpern, z’’l) for more than 51 years, during which time they raised two children (Ken and Eve), traveled the world, built a deep circle of friends and pursued their respective careers. Eventually — as her mother predicted — Lynne found her way back to humor.

Along with her longtime co-conspirator Esther Blumenfeld, Lynne co-authored seven books of humor, published nationally, and wrote countless articles and columns, including a regular humor column for Business Atlanta. Her work found readers across the country and reflected her gift for noticing the absurd, the tender, and the familiar in everyday life. She taught humor writing and creative expression through Emory University’s Evening at Emory program, where she inspired students to take their writing — and themselves — a little less seriously.

Lynne also loved performing. She dabbled in stand-up comedy, wrote songs, sang joyfully with The Temple Singers, and was a member of senior performance ensembles connected to Atlanta’s vibrant theater community. Whether on the page or on stage, she believed laughter was both an art form and a survival skill.

Above all, Lynne was a warm and loving mother, grandmother, and friend, known for her huge heart and welcoming smile.

Even as Alzheimer’s slowly claimed Lynne’s wit, her laughter remained, and she continued to make those around her laugh — sometimes intentionally, sometimes not, and often at just the right moment.

Shiva will be held December 29 (6–8 p.m., minyan at 7 p.m.) at the home of Ken and Alison, and December 30 (7–9 p.m., minyan at 7:30 p.m.) at the home of Eve and Brenda.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish to make a donation consider Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) or organizations pursuing Alzheimer’s disease research.

In the end, Lynne never wrote for television — but she spent a lifetime making people laugh. It turns out her mother was right.

FUNERAL: A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, at The Temple (1589 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) or streamed online (https://streaming.the-temple.org), with graveside service to follow at Arlington Memorial Park (201 Mt. Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30328).

SHIVA: Shiva will be held December 29 (6–8 p.m., minyan at 7 p.m.) at the home of Ken and Alison, and December 30 (7–9 p.m., minyan at 7:30 p.m.) at the home of Eve and Brenda.