Serena Lay

Serena "Sim" Lay, age 55, passed away on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, at Wynn Hospital in Utica, NY. She was one of eleven children born to Ky Im and Ark Lay.

Unfortunately, Serena endured great hardship early in her life. As Serena's family endured genocide in Cambodia, they had no choice but to leave their home country and start a new life in the United States of America, where language and culture greatly differed from their country. Despite these barriers, Serena prevailed and was able to build herself a life in a new country, where she eventually met her husband, Hak Pin.

Serena and Hak were married in the summer of 1993. Together they had 3 daughters, Venisia Lay, Veronica Lay, and Vannthakhan Pin. In 2020, they found out they'd be grandparents to a beautiful baby boy. A few months before his arrival in 2021, they received the news that Serena was officially diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, which had already spread to her lungs. Being stage four, the only treatment option was chemotherapy. Despite the effects chemotherapy had on Serena, she always mustered enough energy to play with her grandson and spend time with him, going as far as walking to her daughter's house just to see him. Nothing stopped Serena from bonding with her first grandson and she cherished every second that was spent with him. She loved being able to care for him like she once did with her daughters. The joy that Serena shared with her daughters and grandson is unforgettable. They will never forget Serena's laugh, which you could hear from miles away. Her smile and charisma was noticed by all, and her unconditional love was deeply felt by her family and friends.

After her diagnosis, she underwent great challenges from bowel perforation that required surgery, to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. However, Serena did not let these challenges hold her back or wear her down. Some would say you couldn't even tell she was battling cancer, and that's the type of person Serena was. She fought past her limits until she physically couldn't. As the years went on, Serena's cancer progressed and spread to her liver, kidney, and bones. Serena was met with a difficult choice to end treatment after failing multiple lines of chemotherapy. She passed away a few days after being on comfort care, surrounded by those who love her dearly.

Despite the battles she fought, from genocide to cancer, Serena did not let these experiences turn her heart cold. She remained loving, caring and selfless. Serena embodies strength and resilience, and may it live on through her daughters and husband. May she rest in peace.

We, the Husband, daughters, grandchildren and relatives are so saddened by the loss of Mrs. Serena Lay who passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 8:53 PM, at the age of 55, at Wynn Hospital, Utica, NY. We would like to cordially invite all you and your families as well as friends to join us at the Khmer Traditional Buddhist Funeral service at the Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., Utica, NY.

Schedule:

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Getting together, Buddhist chanting and Dharma Talk at Wat Satheathek-Uticaram (Khmer Buddhist Temple).

Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 8:30 AM

Families, relatives, and friends gather at the Matt Funeral Home,700 Rutger St. Utica, NY.

Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM

A funeral procession of the casket of Mrs. Serena Lay will commence from the funeral home. Cremation ceremony will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery, 2201 Oneida St. Utica, NY.

Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM

Buddhist chanting and offering lunch to Monk.

Wat Satheathek-Uticaram

Khmer Buddhist Temple

1552 Steuben St. Utica, NY 13501

Telephone: 315-601-5230