Lila Yazdi Paydarfar passed away peacefully on September 23, 2026, in Orange County, California, surrounded by her loving family. She was 91 years old.

Born on March 6, 1935, in Qazvin, Iran, Lila was the daughter of Sadegh Yazdi and Massumeh Baigum Mortazavi. She grew up alongside her siblings Kazem, Ismail, Ebrahim, Mahin, Ali, and Mina. She was preceded in death by all her siblings except her beloved youngest sister, Mina.

Lila's life was defined by a deep commitment to learning, family, and service to others. Highly intelligent, strong-willed, meticulous, and endlessly curious, she approached every stage of life as both a student and a teacher. Her pursuit of knowledge was not simply personal, but a lifelong mission that shaped her family, profession, and community.

In 1956, she married Ali A. Paydarfar in Tehran, Iran. United by a shared belief in education and opportunity, they built a partnership that spanned more than six decades. In 1958, they immigrated to the United States, beginning a journey that took them from Lexington, Kentucky, to Ithaca, New York, the Washington, D.C. area, and ultimately Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where they raised their family. In 2013, they relocated to Laguna Niguel, California, to be closer to family.

Education stood at the center of Lila's life. She earned a degree in Library Science with a minor in Mathematics and remained a lifelong learner whose interests spanned the arts, sciences, language, and culture. She worked as a librarian and later served as an Instructor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she taught introductory and advanced Persian language courses.

Her commitment to education extended far beyond her profession. In 1980, she established a library at Abiverdi Dabestan, a village school near Shiraz, Iran, helping expand educational opportunities for young students. She also volunteered as an educator in numerous communities and later established an endowment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supporting a distinguished lectureship in Persian studies. Throughout her life, she championed literacy, education, and the preservation of language and culture.

Yet for all her accomplishments, family remained her greatest passion and proudest achievement. To her children, she was at once a teacher, mentor, advocate, toughest critic, and greatest supporter. She believed fiercely in the potential of others and never stopped seeking understanding, no matter how complex the subject.

One story captures her character particularly well. When her eldest son, Saeed, struggled with mathematics in high school, she enrolled in college mathematics courses herself so that she could better help him. Years later, he became an engineer specializing in advanced mathematical simulation. For Lila, his success affirmed a belief she carried throughout her life: that dedication, perseverance, and education can transform lives. She invested that same energy in all three of her sons, consistently placing their educational opportunities above her own comfort and convenience.

Lila was also a woman of exceptional talent and refinement. An accomplished seamstress, artist, and beautician, she possessed a remarkable eye for quality, beauty, and craftsmanship. Whether creating clothing, preparing a meal, decorating and organizing a home, she approached every task with meticulous care. Her Persian cooking was legendary among family and friends, and she was the driving force behind cherished family gatherings, especially Nowruz, Yalda, and Thanksgiving, creating traditions that brought generations together.

For her grandchildren, who affectionately knew her as Mamanjoon, these gatherings became treasured memories and enduring lessons about family, culture, and belonging.

Throughout her life, she was guided by a deep faith in God and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. An ardent humanitarian, she embraced people from all walks of life and was especially devoted to helping those facing hardship or misfortune. One principle she often emphasized was doing everything del-soozaneh — with heartfelt dedication, genuine concern, and sincere care. She believed that every responsibility deserved one's best effort and that education carried with it a responsibility to uplift others and strengthen communities.

Lila was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ali A. Paydarfar. She is survived by her sons, Saeed Paydarfar and his wife Graciella Dehlavi of Dana Point, California; David Paydarfar and his wife Nahid Yazdi of Austin, Texas; and Joseph Paydarfar and his wife Maryam Hendi of Hanover, New Hampshire. She is also survived by her sister Mina; her grandchildren, Sabrina Sara and her husband Spencer, Arman and his wife Marissa, Roya, Kamron, Daniel, and Nora; and her great-grandchildren, Romeo and Apollo.

Lila's legacy lives not only through her accomplishments but through the values she instilled in those she loved. She taught her family that knowledge should be pursued throughout life, that opportunities should be shared, and that success carries a responsibility to serve others. She believed deeply in family, education, culture, compassion, and community. Her life was a testament to the power of learning, perseverance, and the enduring impact of a devoted mother, teacher, and mentor.

Her example remains her greatest legacy. Through the generations she nurtured and inspired, her wisdom, values, and love will continue to guide those who knew her for years to come.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lila and Ali Paydarfar Memorial Fund for Otolaryngology Research and Education, c/o Matthew R. Hall, Ph.D. (Matthew.R.Hall@hitchcock.org; 603-667-6309). Inspired by Lila's lifelong dedication to education and motivated by her personal experiences with severe hearing loss and end-of-life swallowing difficulties, this fund seeks to advance research, education, and care for future patients and families.