Thelma Kay

Thelma Anne Kay Lyons, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 10th 2025 at her home in Delano, California, at the age of 86.

Born on November 21, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, to Armenian immigrant parents, Charles John Lyons, Sr. (born: Garabed Ohanes Arslanian) and Balasan Kardashian, Thelma grew up in Buena Park with her siblings Helene and Charlie on one of the largest hog ranches in the world. In her adolescent years, her family moved to the San Fernando Valley, where she met lifelong friends and, at just 16, the love of her life, Raymond “Ray” Kay.

In 1956, Thelma was crowned Queen of the San Fernando Fiesta Pageant. A year later, on April 13th 1957, she and Ray married, a 70 year love story filled with adventure, family, and faith. Together they had two children, Carri Lynn (Geragosian) Kay and the late Raymond Haig Kay Jr. In 1963, they opened Kay’s Charbroiler Restaurant in Panorama City before moving to the San Joaquin Valley to work in farming and eventually operate their own vineyard and farm and party rental supply company.

Thelma was known for her strength, her faith, and her remarkable talents. A skilled seamstress and a licensed pilot, she truly could do it all. She was also a legendary cook whose kitchen became the center of family life. Her meals — from dolma to homemade berry cobblers — were acts of love that brought generations together.

Deeply rooted in her community, Thelma was active in her church, in the Masonic Lodge, and in building lifelong friendships in Delano. She shared countless travels with Ray, from road trips along the California coast to international adventures, and she rarely missed a USC football game, passing her Trojan spirit on to her family.

Above all, Thelma’s proudest role was as a devoted wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. She showed up for every milestone, celebrated every success, and instilled in her family the values of faith, resilience, and hard work. Thelma will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Charles John Lyons, Sr. (1972) and Balasan Kardashian Lyons (1979) and her son, Raymond Haig Kay Jr (2004). Thelma is survived by her husband of 68 years Raymond Kay; her daughter, Carri Geragosian; her sister, Helene Bedrosian; and her grandchildren Von Geragosian, Armen Geragosian and Ani Geragosian, who will carry forward her love and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to - Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church, The Ararat Home, or the AMAA.