The literary and creative world is mourning the loss of Kathy Hepinstall Parks, a gifted poet, LA Times bestselling novelist, internationally recognized advertising copywriter, and beloved friend to many, who passed away on August 17, 2025.
Known for her sharp wit, infectious humor, and extraordinary talent with words, Kathy had a rare gift for taking life’s biggest truths and distilling them into sentences that felt both intimate and universal. Readers often found themselves pausing over her lines, thinking, “That’s so Kathy… I wish I could write like that.”
Her career was as diverse as it was impactful. Beyond her novels, which captivated audiences around the world, Kathy thrived in advertising, where her work earned international acclaim. But those who knew her best will also remember her as a zany storyteller, a lover of cats and elderly people, a funky dancer, and a fearless bringer of joy—whether through her writing or her famous off-color jokes. Friends recall her larger-than-life personality, from her endless humor to moments like showing up in her mother’s yard dressed head-to-toe in a squirrel costume during a bridge luncheon, “just because it was Tuesday.”
In recent years, Kathy faced private struggles with immense courage. She was open about her battle to wean off SSRIs, particularly Prozac, and the toll it took on her body. Despite the pain, she shared her story with honesty and strength in hopes of helping others facing similar challenges. Her bravery in speaking out only deepened the admiration so many already held for her.
Tributes to Kathy have been flooding in from readers, friends, and colleagues around the world. Many remember her not only as a brilliant writer but also as a legendary friend, someone whose laughter could fill a room and whose energy left people doubled over with joy. “Put us in a room for a few minutes together,” one friend reflected, “and we’d end up on the floor, holding our bellies with the aching laughter of pure, dark hilarity.”
Her family and loved ones are asking that those who knew Kathy honor her memory by sharing photos, stories, and cherished moments—celebrating the vibrant, outrageous, and beautiful spirit she brought into the world.
Though her passing leaves a void impossible to fill, Kathy Hepinstall’s legacy endures through her novels, her poetry, her unforgettable presence, and the countless lives she touched. She will be remembered not only as a writer of brilliance but as a force of nature—fearless, funny, wildly creative, and deeply loved.
