Paulette Brown Hinds, Ph.D
When Kathy and Benoit Malphettes moved to Riverside in 2008 to spend their retirement years relaxing in the inland heat, little did they know they would become the center of creative activity as portraitists for the Black Voice News and IE Voice. After turning their guest room into a studio they went on to photograph some of the region’s most prominent faces — from mayors to academics and university leaders to community activists. Kathy passed away on March 20, 2024 with her husband Benoit by her side.
Although Kathy spent her childhood living in cities throughout the Midwest, she always claimed St. Paul, Minnesota as home. She loved the architecture of the city and often spoke of returning. Kathy moved to Texas as a young adult to attend college in Houston where she studied fine art. She was a talented painter and lover of abstract art.
Upon graduation, Kathy worked at Sakowitz, a Texas department store chain, before moving to California and turning her passion for painting into a career in creative direction and marketing. For two decades, she worked as the creative and marketing director for Robinson’s department store in Los Angeles, overseeing a staff of 54 in the marketing department.
It is impossible to talk about Kathy’s professional life and career without also talking about Benoit. After contracting Benoit as a photographer for Robinson’s advertising department in 1978, the two began a professional partnership and personal relationship that would span four decades.
As the duo behind Robinson’s impressive ad campaigns, the two worked with the top models of the day including Iman, Jerry Hall, Renee Russo and Gia, and Kathy was an award winning marketing executive, often quoted in AdWeek and other trade publications. After leaving Robinson’s, Kathy joined Benoit at his studio in Pasadena that boasted a clientele of some of the city’s most notable families. Benoit worked behind the camera while Kathy did almost everything else including art direction for the portraits.
In 2003 the two married and in 2007 they retired and moved to Riverside.
After searching for a community in their new city, the Malphettes found a welcoming family at the Black Voice News, where their talents were once again put to great use. The special skill of art direction she honed over the years in the workforce, Kathy brought to the portrait settings for the Black Voice News covers as well as The Merchants of Riverside, the special portrait project she and Benoit produced for the VOICE featuring some of the city’s small business owners.
Kathy was an avid fan of Rock n Roll music, with the band Queen being one of her favorites. When they toured the United States she never missed the opportunity to attend their concerts and visit backstage with her friend, lead guitarist Brian May.
Under the care of Dr. Sarah Chae and Kara Health Hospice, Kathy passed away peacefully at home with her beloved Benoit lovingly holding her hand.