Charlene (Panora) Aikman

Charlene Panora Aikman, formerly of Milton and Cambridge, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and most recently New Hope, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in Dedham, Massachusetts, on October 3, 2025. She was 75 years old.

Born on April 3, 1950, Charlene grew up in Massachusetts, the beloved daughter of the late Robert A. Panora and Marion J. (Bryson) Panora. She was a devoted wife to the late Walter M. Aikman, with whom she shared more than twenty years of love, travel, and partnership. She later found companionship and happiness with the late James D. Mahoney of New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Charlene is lovingly remembered by her siblings Marilyn (Jay) Carey of Carver, MA; Judith (Michael) Crossen of Walpole, MA; Robert (Sunia) Panora of Las Vegas, NV; Margaret (Robert) Connelly of Walpole, MA; John (Lori) Panora of Vero Beach, FL, and Connecticut; and Lauren (James) Houghton of Hong Kong. She was predeceased by her twin sister, Catherine Delgado of New Hampshire, and her sister, Elizabeth M. Panora of Sandwich, MA.

She was a caring and involved aunt, loved deeply by her thirteen nieces and nephews, all of whom will cherish her memory with great affection.  

She is also survived by her stepchildren, Lucy Putnam and William Aikman of Rollinsford, NH; Sophie Aikman of ME; Lorna Mehta of New York, NY; and Robert Aikman of Fairbanks, AK; as well as the late Jessie Aikman of Rollinsford, NH.

Charlene had a lifelong passion for the arts, politics, and family. She had a special love for opera and both new and classic films. She also found friendship and purpose through her longtime needlepoint circle at Knit One Stitch Too in Pennington, New Jersey. Among her greatest joys was her close relationship with her nephew and niece, Jamie and Cecily Houghton, a steady, loving presence throughout their lives.

In keeping with her wishes, Charlene has been cremated. Family and friends are invited to gather in her memory at the Alexander F. Thomas and Sons Funeral Home 45 Common Street Walpole on Sunday October 19, 2025 from 1:00-4:00 PM.  A celebration of her life will also be held at her home, in New Hope, Pennsylvania, at a later date.

Her devotion and kindness to family and friends will always be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Charlene’s memory may consider a donation to the National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation (NLMSF) at https://nlmsf.org/ or a charity of your choice.

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