Susan Rest Pye

Susan Rest Pye passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2019 embraced by her family's love and her favorite music, 'Hamilton'. Susan's life centered around family, friendship, profession, and service. She was born April 18, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Lois and Allan Rest. The oldest of three sisters, she grew up in a love-filled home in Glencoe, Illinois. She often recounted stories of teaching her sisters to read, her mother's limited cooking repertoire, her father's patience and unconditional love, and dancing with her sisters and friends. Susan fondly remembered Glencoe, her trips to the family beach cottage in South Haven, Michigan, her time at New Trier, and her lifelong friendships. In her adventurous spirit, she moved to Austin in 1968 to attend the University of Texas. Despite not knowing anyone, she was quick to acclimate and consider Austin home. While in Austin, she traveled to Hawaii for a summer, and adopted her first dog, Ophelia. Education was important to Susan; therefore, she graduated with both a bachelor's and master's degree in special education, and moved to Houston to teach in the Alief Independent School District. In 1976 she began attending South Texas College of Law while continuing to teach full-time. She excelled academically, was an editor for the South Texas Law Journal, and graduated in the top of her class. After graduating in 1979, Susan did a federal clerkship, then started her career as a groundbreaking female executive in the energy industry. She worked at Texaco, Enron, and served as a vice-president of Cabot Corporation's natural gas marketing company. Susan's deep knowledge of the energy industry and her ability to make connections made in-house legal energy recruiting a natural fit. After 20 years as one of the top legal recruiters in Texas, Susan started her boutique woman-run legal recruiting firm, Pye Legal Group. She found her niche, thriving at and loving her work, where the dedicated and talented team brought her much joy. She was a member of various groups including the International Women's Forum, and supported the role of women in business. Throughout her career, she impacted countless lives as a colleague, mentor, and friend. Susan's strength, courage, perseverance, generosity, optimism, and million-dollar smile were famous. Above all, she valued family. She married H. Walter Pye, Jr. September 24, 1995, and they celebrated over 25 years of friendship and love. Together they traveled the world, started and grew Susan's business, and made lasting friendships. Her happiest moment was the day her daughter Emily was put in her arms; from that moment on, they were a dynamic duo. They spent time traveling (to Susan's favorite place, Italy), cooking, doing puzzles, playing Rummikub, and solving the world's problems one fast walk at a time. Susan deeply cared for and adored her sisters Ruth-Ann Sivers and Barbara Rouse, and sister-in-law Sue Sue Aron. Her sisters loved and looked up to their eldest sister, and valued her advice and guidance throughout their lives. Susan also became an important part of the lives of Walter's children, Walter III, Jennifer, and Cris, and their grandchildren. She always offered a listening ear and sage wisdom to all of her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Susan often demonstrated her deep, abiding love for family and friends by hosting meticulously organized events at home, where her house was always open and filled with love. Susan cherished and nurtured her friendships. Upon her second cancer diagnosis in November 2017, she said she was grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with those who mattered most. Susan "never met a stranger" and delighted in connecting people from different parts of her life. As a passionate and giving person, she embraced many causes, leaving her mark on the world for the better. As a mother of a child with type 1 diabetes, she served on the board for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and donated time and money generously without seeking recognition, giving to many different organizations near to her heart, including M.D. Anderson and the research of her doctor Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero. Her strength, courage, kindness, warmth, and ability to connect with others guided her throughout her life, and she tackled everything with grace, determination, integrity, and humor. She was a rock to her family and friends, a true friend to many, and an inspiration to all who knew her. Susan meaningfully impacted all of our lives and made a monumental difference to those around her. She gave us so much. What a gift she gave each of us to have shared her time on earth. Susan is survived by is survived by her loving husband H. Walter Pye, Jr. and devoted daughter Emily Wardell, in addition to Walter III (Cristina) Pye, Jennifer (Adam) Cox, and Cris (Elisa) Pye, her sisters Ruth-Ann (Neil) Sivers and Barbara (Ted) Rouse, and Sue Sue (Don) Aron. She is also survived by beloved grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as "Suz", nieces, nephews, and dog Charley. She was preceded in death by parents Lois and Allan Rest. The family would like to thank the staff and Dr. Garcia-Manero's team at MD Anderson for recognizing there was no obstacle too big for Susan and for their expertise, guidance, and support while she received treatment. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to MD Anderson Research Trials by Dr. Garcia-Manero, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Susan Rest Pye

April 18, 1950 - June 13, 2019