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Sophie Rydin Obituary
1950-2020
Sophie Lin Rydin took her final breath on July 28, 2020 after a 2 year battle with cancer. She passed peacefully at home with family by her side in Houston, Texas. Sophie was born August 22, 1950, in Taipei, Taiwan to George and Shirley Lin. She moved to the United States in 1976 and worked her way through graduate school waiting tables. She completed her Master's of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 1978 and worked in the field to change the lives of patients and others for over 40 years.
In 1984, Sophie met her husband Mike Rydin through a dating service that Mike started. They married less than a year after meeting and have two beautiful sons, John and Eric Rydin. Over the years Sophie worked tirelessly to provide a wonderful and fulfilling life for her husband and two children while managing to thrive in two separate careers as a professor of Occupational Therapy at TWU and UTMB, as well as the Vice President of her husband's company, HCSS, elevating them to one of 'The Best Places to Work in Texas' for over ten consecutive years. In 2007, Sophie earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and from the classroom would spread her vast knowledge and experience to her many students and consequently affect an even wider range of patients, keeping her kindness and warmth alive for generations to follow.
Her work in both fields was continuously recognized, including being awarded The Excellence and Dedication to Community Support by the Chinese Community Center in 2007, HDSA Distinguished Leadership in Business and Community in 2009, TOTA Distinguished Service Award in 2008, 2012 and Roster of Merit 2014. She was an avid painter, runner, and even started to play the piano at the age of 63, performing in the Houston Piano Club for several years and then starting the HCSS Company Piano Club.
Sophie was preceded in death by brother Yao Chai and father George Lin. She is survived by mother Shirley, brothers Tom and York, sisters May and Jean, as well as her husband Mike and their two sons, John and Eric along with their fiancées, Nicoletta and Manon. There will be a public memorial service held at the HCSS Campus in Sugar Land, Texas in September.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sophie Rydin
Angeline Chin
July 28, 2025
Sophie, we are Always thankful for the love and hard work you put into building our Occupational Therapy profession in this world. Please continue to guide us with your love and wisdom from Heaven. Sincerely,
Angeline Chin, clinical instructor to a number of your students
Katherine Aileen Lawson
July 27, 2024
Remembering you today Dr. Rydin.
Katherine Lawson
July 27, 2021
Remembering you today Dr. Rydin.
Emily Huang
August 22, 2020
Sophie was a twinkle star in our Taipei First Girls High group in Houston. Her sense of humor, love for lives & people, tireless energy & tremendous contributions have impacted our alumni and Chinese community greatly.
Sophie, thanks for what you had brought to us. You will be missed by all people around. Rest In Peace.
Cris
August 12, 2020
Sophie was always cheerful and full of life. Always placing healthy snacks on my desk that brighten up my day. Missing you already Mrs. Sophie. Our good Lord has a beautiful angel with him now. Rest in Peace and no more pain.
Calliope Liamis Gomez
August 7, 2020
It was a true honor to have known Dr. Rydin. My condolences to your family and loved ones. You were an amazing spirit and your kindness will never be forgotten.
Angeline Chin
August 7, 2020
My sincere sympathies go out to Sophie’s family. Sophie was such a pleasure to meet. I’ll never forget the joy & passion she brought to the OT profession and how she got me started taking on and teaching students at my work place and loving it. Thank you Sophie for what you brought to the OT profession and all people you encountered. ❤
Jesse Pisors
August 7, 2020
I was honored to have met Sophie on a couple of occasions, and she was such a warm, kind person. Her legacy is clearly enormous. Mike, please accept my sincerest condolences. You and your sons are in my thoughts and prayers.
Antonio Cruz
August 3, 2020
Never met her, sadly, both myself and the OT community will be severely lacking. May she rest in peace earning it well deserved, I'm sure her past patients would agree.
Patricia Fingerhut
August 3, 2020
Sophie, Martin and I will miss you. We were classmates, colleagues, and friends. Your enthusiasm and generosity touched many.
Shirley Wells
August 2, 2020
Her kindness and commitment to improving the lives of others will not be forgotten.
Theodora Randle
August 2, 2020
Rest in Peace my friend. See on the other side. Theodora Randle
Kathryn Freeman
August 2, 2020
Kindness, is the first word that comes to mind. This loss hurts. I will miss seeing you Sophie at TOTA gatherings.
Tara Krueger
August 1, 2020
Laura Ruiz
July 31, 2020
Sophie will be greatly miss. My condolences from a former UTMB student and fellow OTR. My prayers go out to her family during this time of deep grief.
Mary Gaber
July 31, 2020
My prayers are with you during this sad time. Sophie was a blessing to the OT community.
Katherine Lawson
July 31, 2020
My sincerest condolences.
Katherine Lawson
Beverly Palmer
July 31, 2020
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Jason Tran
July 31, 2020
In loving memory of Sophie Rydin, one of the most amazing person I've had the honor of working with and knowing. I will always cherish the times we bumped into each other in the Kitchen to chat and will always remember how she applauded me for how I did my introduction at HCSS using rap lyrics. Sophie always made me feel welcomed, appreciated and supported. Sophie had the most amazing positive energy and will always be like a mother to me. She will be greatly missed. All of my thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences to her remaining family Mike, John and Eric. May God Bless Sophie's soul and shine perpetual light down on her to guide her through the passage towards ascension to the kingdom of Heaven.
Nana Tran
July 31, 2020
Our condolences to Rydin family
I hope and pray that you will have strength during this time of loss You have my deepest, sincerest sympathy
Rest In Peace Sophie Lin Rydin
You will be missed
Nana Tran& Jason Tran
Tricia Roome
July 30, 2020
Sophie was a vibrant and talented person. I knew her through my husband and attended her Christmas parties every year for the company. You always knew it was going to be the best of times and she loved it. I remember her sons playing the violin and a special dinner at Tony’s with Sophie and Mike. Such a kind and wonderful woman and she will be missed. Much love for the family during these times. You will be in our prayers.
Judy Skarbek
July 30, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. Sophie's energy filled the room. She was gracious and enjoyed sharing her kindness with everyone. God bless and prayers to her family.
Judy Skarbek
July 30, 2020
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
July 30, 2020
My condolences to the family . May you find comfort in your treasured memories
and Gods promise to return our loved ones . 1st Thessalonians 4 : 13 & 14 .
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