Fresno Christian staff and students arrived to school the morning of Jan. 23 to shocking news of the tragic loss of one of their own.
Senior Lily Joyce Kahrimanian departed from her earthly home and joined her eternal one in heaven, Jan 22. She was 17 years old.
Lily was born to Jill and Ara Kahrimanian on Oct 30, 2007. She is survived by her parents, older sister Grace Kahrimanian, younger brother Ben Kahrimanian and countless loving family members and friends.
“Lily had a warmth about her that made being around her feel natural and comforting. She was the person who I enjoyed every second with, and her friendship was refreshing, like a breath of fresh air,” alumna Chloe McDonald, ‘24, said.
Lily transferred to Fresno Christian Schools as a freshman and was on course to graduate in spring 2025. An ambitious student, Lily opted for advanced placement classes, displaying her dedication and diligence directed towards academics.
Although, on the quieter side, Lily spent her time at FC forging beautiful friendships and relationships within the community. Her loss will continue to be felt greatly as her peers and teachers say goodbye to an excellent student and loving friend.
Fresno Christian’s theme verse for 2025, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, describes the attributes of love.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
During Lily’s time on campus, she let her actions and personality reflect the characteristics of love.
Lily is patient and kind
“Love is patient, love is kind…” (1 Cor. 13:4).
“Lily taught me that I don’t have to be ashamed about who I am,” Jasity Wilborn, ‘25, said. “Lily was seen as very quiet, but when you got to know her, she never stopped talking, and she never made me feel bad for having a lot to say.”
Lily and Wilborn became fast friends, bonding over their mutual love for art. Lily aspired to be a museum curator; her talent for all kinds of art was undeniable. The Feather featured her scratch artwork last year, Feature Art – Scratch Board Art.
“She embodied selfless kindness, always opening her home to me after school while my teacher mom finished her day,” McDonald said. “With her, I felt at ease—constantly reassured and cared for.”
McDonald and Lily both attended the same mega-middle school, but their friendship blossomed when they reconnected at Fresno Christian during the 2022-2023 school year. McDonald’s favorite memory of Lily encapsulates her steadfast compassion.
“I was sad, hurt, crying, I just wanted her – my friend,” McDonald said. “Seconds after I texted her, she found me in the bathroom, hiding in a stall—she had ditched class just to be there. She saw my tears and told me to shut my eyes. When I did, she wrapped me in a hug—the first of many. Lily was an amazing person, and I just wish I could hug her once more.”
Lily is generous and humble
“…it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” (1 Cor. 13:4).
“I loved the way Lily gave gifts. She’d give you something personal, something that she good-naturedly teased you about,” Wilborn said. “For my birthdays, she got me Justin Bieber-themed things because as a kid that was my celebrity crush and gift-giving turned into an outlet for our little inside jokes.”
Dawson Briner, ‘25, shared several classes with Lily; the two had the exact same schedule during the 2023-2024 school year.
“I always enjoyed talking to her, of course, but the best thing about her, in my opinion, is that she could say so much without saying anything at all,” Briner said. “In a school full of people trying to get their point across, Lily was a beautiful change of pace as somebody who didn’t need to inform you about every aspect of her day to make you interested in talking to her.”
Lily is understanding and respectful
“It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong” (1 Cor. 13:5).
“Our friendship was full of laughter, teasing and encouraging, but one of my favorite parts of our relationship was that it was judgment-free,” Wilborn said. “A little phrase she would say to me after saying ‘I love you’ was ‘keep being insane,’ and it was comforting to know that she meant it.”
Mathematics teacher Kristina Breshears taught all of the Kahrimanian kids and had Lily in her Advanced Math course for the 2024-2025 school year.
“Lily was so smart, a critical thinker and a hard worker in class. The word that comes to mind is steadfast,” Breshears said. “You had to work hard to be let in to see her full personality, but when you did, what a joy.”
Lily’s perseverance in class highlighted the deference and consideration she showed her educators and classmates. On the day the school learned of Lily’s passing, Breshears’ fourth-period Advanced Math class was meant to be graphing polar equations, but struggled finding purpose to do so on such a heavy day. Breshears recounts Matthew 6:28-30 was put on her heart.
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
One of the graphs was called a Rose Graph, with mathematical petals curving into a symmetrical flower over the x and y axes. That day, Breshears renamed them lilies, and while she and the class grieved, they graphed lilies for Lily to honor her empty chair in their classroom.
Lily rejoices in good and love
“Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth” (1 Cor 13:6).
“Looking back at group photos, I was always right beside her,” McDonald said. “Lily made me feel loved. She wasn’t overly affectionate, but she always found a way to show it and make sure I knew it.”
“We loved talking; Lily didn’t love sports or too many extracurricular activities, but she loved art, movies, music, photography, museums and fashion,” Wilborn said. “Any expression of art she absolutely adored and I think that encapsulates her so well because art isn’t always loud, but it makes a big impact.”
“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Cor. 13: 7-8).
With our deepest sympathies, our hearts go out to the Kahrimanian family. May her memory be honored forever.
The family would like to extend an invitation to friends and family for a Celebration of Life, March 1, at 11 A.M., at The Well Community Church, Clovis Campus, which is located at 325 Nees Ave, Clovis, CA 93611. The Kahrimanian family requests that any donations to honor Lily be made to Reading Heart, or to your favorite museum, church or charity.
If you would like to share a favorite memory or kind word about Lily, the family would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
To read more about her, Lily J. Kahrimanian Obituary.
Madeleine Durham • Feb 28, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Lily was one of the first people I ever met and became friends with when I came to FCS. We had 7th period PE together, and I would hang out with her almost every class period. She was so kind and funny. I remember my family and I went over to her house for the first time for dinner and we had the best time. We looked at pictures of our moms when they went to a semester abroad when they were younger and played Jeopardy with Grace, her older sister. We had so much fun and always talked about how we wanted hangout and play again. I didn’t hang out with her much these past years, but I would always say hi to her in the hallways and hug her every chance I got. We were so excited when our schedules came out for this year, and we had classes together. We panic texted each other the days before school started because we didn’t finish our summer assignment for English. I loved sitting next to her in Bible and Lang. She made math better for me. Lily always made me laugh and knew how to make me smile. She was an amazing friend. It’s hard to walk into the classes we had together and not see her in a seat or see her walk in the door. I don’t like Thursdays anymore, and chapel is always hard for me now. That day I walked into Feather and someone telling me she was gone I didn’t believe it. But I knew when Mrs. Deffenbacher walked in that Lily was gone. I will never forget the impact you left on me. There will never be a day when I don’t think of you, Lily. I miss you and thank you for being my friend. I love you, Lily, and thank you Dani.
Marin Beasley • Feb 28, 2025 at 4:26 pm
i was never close with Lily, but her big smile and rosey cheeks were hard to ignore whenever she walked into a room. Although having a quiet personality, she always shined especially bright. In art class, I was fascinated with her artwork and her ability to bring her imagination to life with ease. There isn’t a day where her beautiful soul doesn’t cross my mind. The pain her friends and family are experiencing is unlike anything I can comprehend, my prayers and support go out to anyone impacted by this tragic loss.