
Celebrating the Life of
June 24, 1986 — August 5, 2025
Mahsa Farsad, late of Sunnyvale, California, passed away on August 5, 2025, after a battle with postpartum depression and psychosis.
Mahsa was born on June 24, 1986, in Mashhad, Iran. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, and later completed a master’s and Ph.D. in Optical Science and Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She began her career at PerkinElmer and Veeco before joining KLA Corporation as a Senior Optical Design Engineer, where she worked for four and a half years.
Mahsa was outgoing and gregarious. She enjoyed connecting with people and cherished spending time with those she loved and who loved her. She married her husband on June 6, 2015, and gave birth to their son, Deion Farsad Lyon, on July 30, 2024. She was kind, intelligent, witty, compassionate, adventurous, and caring.
After moving to the United States, Mahsa changed disciplines and earned a master’s and Ph.D. within four years. Fulfilling her dream of living in California, Mahsa secured a position that allowed her to relocate and establish the life she envisioned. Mahsa felt that she had accomplished all her goals; she had a loving husband, owned a home, and took pleasure in connecting with friends, often calling them at night to catch up. She also loved horseback riding.
Mahsa is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Michael Lyon; her son, Deion Farsad Lyon; her parents, Mehdi Farsad and Sima Mozafari; and her siblings, Ali, Maryam, and Ramin Farsad. A celebration of life to honor Mahsa will be held on September 5, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, 695 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94306. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Postpartum Support International. Contributions can also be made to Deion's college fund through Ugift529.com using the gift code 59P-N48.

Friday, September 5, 2025, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Pacific Time
Alta Mesa Memorial Park, 695 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94306
An open house Celebration of Life event - stop by any time between 12 and 4pm. Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
Please share a photo or video, or post a heartfelt condolence to the family.

Her last picture that she sent me of herself and Dyon.

Mahsa at 49 Miles Drive SF Walk at Twin Peaks - You will be remembered forever in our heart, your charming smile and positive energy would remain with us. Hope you rest in peace, Mahsa azizam.

49 Mile Drive at Twin Peaks


When we were students...

5/9/2013

2007 on a university outing. We wanted to look tough and serious in the picture.

Beloved Mahsa, your memory will live on forever — eternally cherished in our hearts.

مهسا دختر عموی عزیزم همیشه یاد و خاطراتت در قلبمان جاودان و ماندگار خواهد ماند. 🙏🏻🫶🏻
One of the most beautiful memories I carry of Mahsa is how our journeys into motherhood became so closely intertwined. We were colleagues, but when we both got pregnant around the same time, our bond grew much deeper. I gave birth in April, and she welcomed her little one in July 2024. We often shared parenting tips, laughed at the sleepless nights, and celebrated the small victories of new motherhood together. I remember how comforting it felt to have her by my side during that phase. Those conversations, full of honesty, support, and warmth, are treasures I will hold onto forever. She will be deeply missed, but the love and light she brought into my life will never fade.
Hello to all the beloved friends of dear Mahsa, Finding the words in mourning for our dear Mahsa has been immensely difficult for me. Believing that she departed from among us so soon is incredibly hard, and I still cannot accept this painful reality. I consider myself so fortunate to have married my dear Maryam, as it gave me the chance to experience the sweet joy of having a younger sister alongside her. From the very first days of my relationship with Maryam, Mahsa, with her pure affection, her heart of gold, and her boundless positive energy, carved a special place in my heart and life. The beautiful and unique bond between Maryam and Mahsa always deeply impressed me. I fondly remember that she accompanied us on almost all our trips in the early years of our marriage, and her presence doubled the sweetness of those early memories of our life together. All of you knew our dear Mahsa well—her capabilities, her wonderful spirit, and her endless kindness. You have already remembered her so beautifully in your own heartfelt words, so I will not repeat them. I simply wish that our dear Mahsa, wherever she is now, has a smile on her lips and a heart full of joy and peace. And I pray that God gives us all the strength to endure her absence in this fleeting world.

2008

2007

2008

2009

2016

I will forever owe you a goodbye, Mahsa

In loving memory of my dear Mahsa. This Halloween photo captures nice memories and good time we had at work, a reminder of the bond we had. You are dearly missed, rest in peace.
baby shower April 2024

We'll always remember Mahsa for her ready smile and open heart.

April 2023
My heartfelt condolences to Mahsa’s family, her husband and his lovely son. I never forget her beautiful smile and her calm personality during our hikes. We will miss her. RIP.


In November of 2023 Jeff and Mahsa visited us at Durham, just before going to Chicago for Thanksgiving holidays. This is the last time we saw Mahsa in person. We had a great visit. This one was at Duke University campus. She was pregnant but didn’t know at the time. Too early. She was exceptional and lovely and left us with great memories. ❤️


من عاشق، این فیلمتم مهسا ، هزاران بار دیدمش ❤️

مهسا جان، جات بین ما خیلی خالیه
مهسا جان، جات بین ما خیلی خالیه


“This was our next trip, to Baku, during the Persian New Year. In those days, Mahsa, filled with love and energy, surrounded us with joy. She was always a source of positivity and warmth for everyone around her.”

“This was our next trip, to Baku, during the Persian New Year. In those days, Mahsa, filled with love and energy, surrounded us with joy. She was always a source of positivity and warmth for everyone around her.”
“I took this photo; it was our first siblings’ trip after Mahsa and Jeff’s wedding when they came to Dubai. We were all so happy and full of joy.”

“I took this photo; it was our first siblings’ trip after Mahsa and Jeff’s wedding when they came to Dubai. We were all so happy and full of joy.”

This is the most beautiful frame that will stay in my mind forever...💓

I looked like a Halloween character by the end of my wedding night, but my sister was glowing like an angel until the last few minutes of her wedding, and I could only praise her.

The most beautiful frame in my mind will always be Mahsa's smile.

First family trip after Mahsa went to America. We will always stay 4💓

The most beautiful person, sister, bride, wife and mother.🪷

The dreamiest days of my life..Of course, when I have an angel as my sister, I will always be in my dreams.

March 7, 2015 A night filled with love. Mahsa and Jeff came over with homemade food to visit us and to meet Lenna, just 1.5 months old. I will never forget Mahsa’s kindness and warmth. I miss her deeply.
Dear (Behnaz & Farsad family), I was so devastated to hear the sad news ! You are on my mind during these difficult times. May you have ultimate strength and patience to carry love and loss together and in due time find healing. With much love and deepest sympathy Negar Sazgar

Rest in peace dear Mahsa.

Half Moon Bay, May 2024

I was so happy that we picked her up from Dulles Airport when she arrived in Washington DC in August 2011. She took the metro most days and checked DC museums.

Washington DC, August 2011.

National Cathedral, Washington DC, August 2011.

Picking up North Carolina flag, National Cathedral, Washington DC, August 2011.

National Cathedral, Washington DC, August 2011.

First few days in the US, at our apartment in Chevy Chase, MD. August 2011.

Rest in peace😔😢💔💫✨

Childhood…Where every day was an adventure and every little thing felt magical





My sister lived a full and beautiful life. She loved deeply and was loved deeply. She laughed, she created, she mothered, she traveled, she gave her heart to the world. Her story was rich, even if too short. I miss her with all my soul, but I’m grateful she knew joy. Her love is still with me, always.

March 2024

Biking Day with Mahsa and Jeff


5k run-2017

NY with Mahsa🌹2013






I’ve been thinking about Mahsa a lot these days. About the holidays she is missing, and how she cannot watch her son grow. She will never get to see how, with time, things become gentler—how childhood slowly opens into something easier, lighter, and full of joy. She is missing so much, and I know her family is missing her just as deeply. My heart aches for little Deion, growing up without his mother’s presence by his side.
من به سوی باغ و گلشن می روم تو نمیآیی میا من می روم روز تاریک است بیرویش مرا من برای شمع روشن می روم جان مرا هشتهست و پیشین می رود جان همیگوید که بیتن می روم بوی سیب آمد مرا از باغ جان مست گشتم سیب خوردن می روم من به هر بادی نگردم زانک من در رهش چون کوه آهن می روم Toward the gardens, Toward the orchards, I am going. If you want to stay here, Stay here - I am going! My day is dark without His Face, Toward that bright flame I am going. My soul is racing ahead of me. It says, The body is too slow for me - I am going. The smell of apples arises from the orchard of my soul. One whiff and I am gone - Toward a feast of apples I am going. A sudden wind won't blow me over. Toward Him, like a mountain of iron, I am going. (friend of a friend who thought very highly of you) "Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room..."
I am deeply saddened to hear of Mahsa’s passing. During our time working together at Veeco, I came to know her as an energetic, passionate, and exceptionally bright individual. Her presence left a lasting impression on those around her. My heartfelt condolences go out to Jeffry and the Farsad family during this difficult time.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I did not know Mahsa personally, even though we went to the same school around the same years. A few months ago, she reached out in a new mom group on Telegram that I am part of. She wrote that she wanted to spend time with other moms so she wouldn’t feel alone. She lived in Sunnyvale, and I am in Oakland, which is not too close, but several moms closer to her location replied and said they would love to meet up. I am friends with some of those moms, and they shared with me that despite wanting to connect, they never actually managed to meet in person. When we learned about her passing, we all felt devastated and asked ourselves what more could have been done. You just never know. Many of us in the group have experienced postpartum depression in different ways, but to think of the level of pain Mahsa must have been going through during what is supposed to be such a joyful time with a newborn is heartbreaking. We are strangers, yet many of us cried for her, grieving the suffering she carried. I cannot imagine the depth of grief her family must feel when even those of us who only knew her from afar are mourning so heavily. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. We are heartbroken for little Deion—losing his mother at such a young age is unimaginable. Mahsa’s story has touched us deeply. I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that her courage in reaching out left an imprint on many of us, and that she will not be forgotten.
I am deeply heartbroken by the loss of Mahsa. She was such a kind, supportive, and exceptional friend to me, and I miss her greatly. Her warmth and generosity will always stay with me, and I will carry her memory with love. Please accept my deepest condolences. I wish her dear son, and all of your family health, peace, and moments of comfort ahead. May you find strength in her lasting kindness and in the love she shared with everyone around her.
As a work colleague of Jeff's I only had the great pleasure of meeting Mahsa once at a holiday dinner party near San Francisco. Though my time spent with her was short, I knew then just how brightly her light shone. I recall her vibrant spirit, great sense of humor, and a sharp intelligence I did not dare test. I could see the deep love Mahsa and Jeff shared and how happy they made each other. I wish Jeff, their son, and both families strength and peace in this impossible time.
Show your support by sending a sympathy gift or making a donation.