Patricia "Trisha" Coats: The "Stilettos & Bourbon-Water" Farewell

Trisha Coats, Sarasota’s undisputed queen of kitchen design and the only woman brave enough to navigate a construction site in Stilettos, officially traded her drafting table for a front-row seat at the great celestial gathering on March 8th, 2026. She likely arrived and immediately realized the kitchens in heaven were due for a serious overhaul and better lighting.

For 30 years, Trisha ran her own business with a level of class and grit that was quite literally tough as her red fingernails. She made even the grumpiest contractors stand up a little straighter. While her soul was proudly Irish, her drink of choice was a steady bourbon and water—a classic choice for a woman with sharp wit and even sharper standards. She didn’t just design kitchens; she built a network of relationships that spanned miles and decades. If you were "in" with Trisha, you were in for life.

Trisha lived for a good story, a loud song, and above all, hosting a good party. Her legendary circle of friends, known as the "Ya-Ya’s," are a testament to her belief that any problem could be solved with a gathering of friends and a glass of the "good stuff."

Trisha was the ultimate connector, a skill that culminated in her long-awaited reunion with her daughter, Julie. She is survived by her three daughters: Kimberly, Amy (husband Darrin Johnson), and Julie (husband Komithy Kirkeby). She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Kyler ( San Diego) and Jack (Sarasota) whom she absolutely cherished.

She will be missed by a vast network of friends, colleagues, and "Ya-Ya’s" who are currently wondering who is going to tell them their backsplash is "all wrong" now that she’s gone.

The family will hold a private burial. A Celebration of Life party—fitting for a woman who loved nothing more than a grand gathering—will be held at a time to be determined.

In the meantime, in her honor, the family asks that you pour a cocktail tonight. Tell a tall tale, sing an Irish song off-key, and make sure someone laughs. Trisha wouldn’t have it any other way.

Honoring Her Memory
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Trisha's name to the following organizations:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Tidewell Hospice