Charlotte O. Kaner

Charlotte (Olin) Kaner of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, died peacefully surrounded by family on October 30th, 2026, in Newton, Massachusetts, at the age of 104.

Charlotte was born on April 13th, 1922, to Dr. Louis Olin and Mildred (Cable) Olin of Brookline, Massachusetts. A graduate of Brookline High School, Charlotte often spoke of fond memories of childhood summers at Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts.

With resilience, grace, and positivity, she built a life defined by love. Charlotte volunteered as a “Yellow Lady” during World War II to support the efforts of the Red Cross. She was a dedicated Cuisinart employee for forty years, demonstrating appliances in department stores. An adventurer at heart, she spent years traveling the world and trained in Kyoto, Japan, in 1971 in the art of Ikebana flower arranging. Charlotte was a social butterfly with a love for an array of activities including playing piano, cooking, painting, reading, as well as playing Scrabble and bingo. She brought joy with her everywhere, including the final three years of her life, when she became a cherished member of the community at Evan’s Park in Newton Corner. When asked about her longevity, Charlotte would share that the secret was simple: love and being surrounded by family and close friends.

Charlotte is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Abraham Kaner; her brother, Dr. Morton Olin; and both of her sons, Richard Kaner, Esq., and Dr. Steven Kaner. She is survived by her six grandchildren, Dr. Ryan Kaner and his wife Amy Kaner, Evan Kaner, Jared Kaner, Abigail Kaner and her partner Michael Traud, Madeline (Kaner) Cooney and her husband Sam Cooney, and Clark Gates. She is also survived by her three great-grandchildren, Emma Kaner, Chloe Kaner, and Sebastian Traud; her daughters-in-law, Deborah Kaner, Jacqueline Donahue, and Jennifer Kaner-Gates; and her son-in-law, Jeffrey Gates.

A private family burial will be held per Charlotte’s wishes.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in remembrance of her late son Richard I. Kaner. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, https://www.dana-farber.org/gift (800-525-4669)