The literary world is mourning the loss of Kathy Hepinstall Parks, the acclaimed poet, Los Angeles Times bestselling novelist, internationally honored advertising copywriter, and irrepressible humorist, who passed away on August 17, 2025. She was a woman whose life and work were defined by wit, boldness, and an extraordinary gift for language that could render the vastness of human experience into sentences that felt intimate, personal, and unforgettable.
To read Kathy was to know her—her sharp humor, her fearless honesty, her ability to illuminate the depths of joy and pain with words that made readers pause and whisper, “That’s so Kathy.” Beyond her professional accolades, she was known among friends and admirers as an off-color-joke-teller extraordinaire, a funky dancer, a lover of cats (even when they ignored her), and an eternal champion of older souls who, at best, only sometimes tolerated her.
Yet behind the humor and brilliance was a private battle that weighed heavily on her in recent years. Kathy fought valiantly to free herself from dependence on SSRIs, particularly Prozac, which left her in constant physical pain. With courage and resilience, she spoke openly about her struggle, hoping her words could one day help others enduring similar battles.
Those closest to her recall not just her strength, but her unshakable zest for life—whether appearing unexpectedly in a full squirrel costume during her mother’s bridge luncheon, or lighting up a room with her unpredictable, larger-than-life presence.
Her passing leaves a void that ripples far beyond her family and friends, touching the countless readers and admirers across the globe who found solace, laughter, and truth in her writing. Loved ones are calling on her community to honor her memory by sharing photographs, stories, and cherished moments—reminders of the joy and light she brought into their lives.
Perhaps it is fitting to end with Kathy’s own words, which she once shared with a support group in 2024 during her ongoing battle. Though written in a time of pain, her words—like her life—were meant to help, to connect, and to heal. But those who knew her remind us that her legacy is far greater than her struggle: it is one of love, wildness, laughter, and the incomparable beauty of a soul who lived without restraint.
Kathy Hepinstall Parks will be forever missed, forever remembered, and forever loved.