Kathrine Kaia

Kathrine Kaia August 8, 1921 – April 8, 2022

Kathrine was born on August 8, 1921, in the family home on Lake Avenue in Kerman, California to her parents Alex and Pearl Nazaroff. She was the second youngest of eleven children and enjoyed growing up on the family farm. Throughout her life she was known as Aunt Katie, Kate, Katsa and Kay by her family and many friends.

After graduating from Kerman High School, she attended Federico’s School of Cosmetology. Upon receiving her certification, she worked at the Hotel Californian. Some of her best memories as a young woman were when her father decided that she and her sister Vera should live in Fresno because it was too far to drive home each night after work. The sisters were fortunate, as their father rented them an apartment across the street from Community Hospital and gave them a new car to get around.

After WWII, Kay’s sweetheart, Alex Kaia returned from where he was stationed in Alaska, and they married on October 28, 1946. Kay lived in the house she and Al built for 70 years. During that time, they raised four children, Karen, Michael, Steven, and Richard. The house and yard were continually full of friends and family. Kay’s kitchen table was always open, and many enjoyed her hospitality. She loved when her children, grandchildren and eventually great grandchildren would come to visit. Dad admired her ability to entertain and cook so effortlessly.

Tragedy struck in 1984 when Kay lost her son Steven to an auto accident. Even through those difficult years she forged ahead, taking care of two grandchildren daily, attending Northwest Church, and committee work with the Fig Garden Woman’s Club.

In 2003, her husband passed away and she later suffered a stroke. With therapy, Kay regained her strength and continued to drive until 2017, when she agreed to be chauffeured around. She credited Dr. Steven Chooljian for keeping her alive. Each year at her annual physical, Dr. Chooljian would tell her that she would live to be 100, which she ultimately did!

Kay took great pride in her looks. She dressed well, had her hair done weekly, colored every six weeks, and never left the house until she “had her face on.” Mom was fortunate to be in very good health. It wasn’t until December 2018 that she woke one morning, unable to walk. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Kingston Bay Senior Living. Although her hearing and eyesight were fading, her mind was sharp to the end. She entertained her caregivers each night with stories of her life and family.

Kay’s family is comforted in the knowledge that Kay knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior, resting in the hope that we will be reunited with her one day. Mom is preceded in death by her seven brothers: Jack, Mitch, Morris, John, Pete, Joe, and Bill, and her three sisters: Jenny, Mary Eagles of Los Angeles, and Vera Lanfranco of Kerman, husband Alex, sons Steven and Richard.

She is survived by her daughter Karen Tozlian, son-in-law Peter, son Michael Kaia of Bakersfield, daughter-in-law Judy, grandchildren: Christopher Tozlian & wife Jenn, Sarah Tozlian, Ryan Kaia & Courtney Kaia of Bakersfield, great-grandchildren Joshua and Elizabeth Kathrine, and nieces and nephew.

A Visitation for Kathrine will be held on Monday, April 18, 2022, 4:00 PM -7:00 PM., at

Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave. Fresno, California

Celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, 10:00 AM. at

Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave. Fresno, California

Interment will follow at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 N. Teilman Ave. Fresno, California

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the donor’s preferred charity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Kaia family.