Diana Aharonian

Diana Aharonian, a Needham resident, died on April 23. She was 106.

Mrs. Aharonian was a native of Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Her family moved to Whitinsville in 1905, where she attended public schools and graduated from Northbridge High School as valedictorian of her class. She studied piano at the New England Conservatory and earned a certificate in Public School Music.

In 1923 she married Hapet Aharonian who died in 1950. They had two children, both of whom predeceased her. Their first child, Abraham, died at age 3 in 1928. Their daughter, Natalie Aharonian, predeceased her last February 1.

Mrs. Aharonian, the second of five children, was born on March 27, 1902. She was very clear-minded and recalled reading news articles concerning the sinking of the Titanic and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. For many years she was employed by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.

She and her daughter took part in a Boston Medical Center study on longevity and its genetic component. Diana was very alert and had many hobbies that kept her busy. She outlived all her siblings, Satenig Simsarian, Hurant Tashjian, Berge Tashjian and Aram Tashjian.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews and by her friend, Katherine E. Braman, of Newton, a long-time friend of Diana and her daughter, whom Katherine regarded as part of the Braman family. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Rand - Harper - Pickering Funeral Home, Westborough is in charge of arrangements.