Sherene Aram

Sherene Marie Aram died at home in Concord, Massachusetts on August 21 after a brief illness, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on November 16, 1962 to Mary (Hass) Aram Arakelian and Ali Mohammed Aram. She is survived by her wife of twenty-eight years, Sheila Murphy; their daughter, Samantha Katzen of Stoughton, Massachusetts; her mother Mary Arakelian, sister Lili Aram-Bost (Tom), niece Karina Mash, all of Richmond, Virginia; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and a wide circle of friends who loved her dearly. She was predeceased by her father, Ali Aram.

Sherene grew up in Melrose and Andover, Massachusetts. She graduated from Phillips Academy and Wellesley College, and received her MBA from Simmons University. She worked as a university administrator at MIT before retiring in 2018.

Sherene loved all cats and fostered feral kittens, including her grand-kitty, Sir Nicholas Winton. She was passionate about geocaching and found geocaches across the US and on four continents, including at the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. She volunteered as a mentor with Womens Money Matters and as an instructor with Concord Prison Outreach. She was an avid puzzler and scuba diver, and she loved to travel. During retirement Sherene and Sheila traveled to China, Tibet, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and Europe. In 2025 they made a pilgrimage to India with the Cambridge Insight Mediation Center where Sherene practiced Vipassana meditation.

Sherene loved her community. She deeply touched the lives of many and was loved by countless family and friends who mourn her absence.

A celebration of life is planned for the fall.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Sherene’s memory to Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Council, or Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.