M. Katie Coco

On May 27, 2026, Dr. M. Katie Coco passed away at her home in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She is preceded in death by her father, Vincent A. Coco; her mother, Yola Coco, and her partner, Pamela Brimley.

After graduating from Holy Souls School and Mount Saint Mary's Academy (where she was for many years voted Most Valuable Player on the "Mounties" basketball team), Katie received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at the University of Arkansas.

Her degree laid the foundation for a M.A. degree in Social Work Clinical and Direct practice at the University of Arkansas, where she also taught, and a Ph.D. in Social Work at the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City then became her home base, and for over four decades she maintained there a professional office where she provided one-on-one psychological therapy for the residents of Salt Lake City.

In addition, she was active as a lecturer and workshop facilitator in clinical and other professional settings across the United States. Her specialties in psychology included disability, delinquency, women and minorities, and developing understanding between men and women.

Her loving partner over many decades, Pamela Brimley, passed away in 2021 in Salt Lake City and, subsequently, Katie moved to Hot Springs.

Katie was also active in the rearing of Pamela's children, Tracy, Sterling, and Michael, and her grandchildren, Natalie and Jaxon.

Outside her professional work, Katie followed a vigorous program of her favorite sport, tennis, with regular weekly matches, often including her fellow professionals. She was also a lifelong fan and avid supporter of her two favorite professional teams, the Utah Jazz and The St. Louis Cardinals.

In their memories of Katie, upon hearing the news of her death, her extended family and many friends continually remarked about her personal warmth and, above all, her ever hearty and delightful humor, which deeply enlivened their lives.

Surviving her are: her brother, Dr. William V. Coco of New York City; her sister, Nina Coco of Little Rock; her brother, Peter Martin Coco, Sr. of Hot Springs, as well as her nephew, Peter Martin Coco, Jr. and nieces, Katie and Andy Coco. Along with Barb Hatfield, Vince Fredrich, Ted Fredrich; special friends, Joe Murphy and Elbert Everett, who attended to her needs over her five-year residence in Hot Springs.

We would like to honor her awesome caregivers, Laurie Flanagin, Kay Davis, Teresa Trent, Jennie Gann, Brenda McDaniel, Kim Ross, Paige Kirkland, and Rhett Sauerwin.

Visitation: 6 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, 155 Section Line Road, Hot Springs, AR.

Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 100 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR

Donations in her name may be made to Jackson House, St. Jude's Hospital, or St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church.

Online condolences athttp://www.caruth-hale.com.

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