PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. — The literary world and countless loved ones are grieving the profound loss of Kathy Hepinstall Parks, a celebrated poet, New York Times bestselling novelist, award-winning advertising copywriter, and cherished friend, who passed away on August 17, 2025, in Pinal County, Arizona. Kathy’s untimely passing, by suicide, has left behind a wave of heartbreak among her family, friends, and readers who admired her brilliance, humor, and remarkable gift for words.
Kathy’s career was one of extraordinary accomplishment and impact. She possessed a rare ability to shape language into something both deeply human and universally resonant. Her novels wove together wit and insight, her poetry carried honesty and raw emotion, and her advertising work struck chords of both humor and heart. She had the rare gift of making ordinary moments feel profound, and profound ones feel strikingly alive. For those who read her work, Kathy’s voice lingered long after the last word—an indelible reminder of her originality and depth.
“She was one of a kind,” recalled a close friend. “That’s so Kathy… I wish I could write like that.” Her words, friends say, weren’t just words—they were pieces of her: clever, unfiltered, playful, soulful, and always authentic.
Beyond her artistry, Kathy was a woman of unforgettable contradictions. She told mischievous jokes with the same ease that she crafted lines of breathtaking beauty. She danced with abandon, loved her cats even when they ignored her, and found joy in befriending the elderly—even when her antics were met with patient tolerance. Those who knew her remember her presence as electric, her humor as contagious, and her kindness as unshakable.
Kathy’s path was not without challenges. In recent years, she endured painful struggles tied to the side effects of medications, including Prozac, which took a toll on her physically. Yet she met these difficulties with courage, openness, and resilience—never hiding her pain, but using her honesty to connect and inspire. By sharing her struggles, she offered strength to others facing their own battles.
Her family and friends will forever remember Kathy not only for her words but for her warmth, loyalty, and generosity. She was the type of friend who stayed up late for long conversations, who laughed loudly and often, and who gave without hesitation. Her circle of loved ones—and the wider community of readers she touched—carry her spirit forward in the connections she fostered and the authenticity she lived by.
Kathy Hepinstall Parks leaves behind a legacy of creativity, courage, and love. Her novels, poetry, and essays will continue to comfort and challenge readers for years to come, reflecting the mind of a woman unafraid to embrace both the absurd and the beautiful.
Though her death is a heartbreaking loss, her life remains a radiant reminder of the power of art and human connection. Her words live on, echoing through every page she wrote and every soul she touched.
Memorial arrangements will remain private at her family’s request. They ask that those wishing to honor Kathy do so by carrying forward her light: sharing kindness, embracing creativity, and offering compassion to those facing struggles with mental health.
Kathy Hepinstall Parks will forever be remembered as a brilliant poet, a gifted novelist, a loyal friend, and an unforgettable spirit. Though she is no longer here, her legacy of words, laughter, and love will continue to shine brightly.