Susan Taylor

Susan ("Sue") Gertrude Smith Randall Taylor passed away quietly in her sleep on Sunday, October 19th, in the Woodlands, Texas, at age 78.

Sue was born on September 28, 1947, and grew up with her family in Chenango Bridge, New York. Sue was proud to be a Smith, which to her meant valuing learning and education for its own sake and community service. Sue loved the water, especially floating on her back and looking at the clouds. Some of her favorite childhood stories involve going swimming with her aunt every week. As a grandmother of three, swimming in the backyard with her grandchildren was a favorite pastime.

Those swims were just a small part of her relationship with her treasured aunt, with whom she remained extremely close throughout her life. Sue became an aunt herself when she was ten years old and adored her many nieces and nephews.

Sue received her bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in 1969, the third generation of women in her family to attend Syracuse. Syracuse basketball was a passion (and a frustration) of hers. She later, as a working mom, went to school at night to earn her master's degree in mathematics education from Western Connecticut State University.

Sue married her high school sweetheart on the day she graduated from college. Soon, they had two daughters. Their lives took their small family from New York to Texas and then to Connecticut. When she divorced, she returned to Texas and thrived in life, spending remaining years there.

Sue had a long successful career as a middle school math teacher. She was an extraordinary teacher, winning many awards and the admiration of her students. She thrived on her connections with students seeing them spark. She shared her love of math with her students with an annual showing of her favorite movie Donald (Duck) in Mathmagic Land. And much to her daughters' chagrin when they were students at her school, Sue was never afraid to do whatever it took to get her students to learn, like badly singing (and dancing to) math-themed songs or performing her favorite-the soap opera of mathematics. Sue couldn't help herself and always laughed at her own jokes.

After over 30 years as a teacher, Sue retired and spent ten years as a real estate agent. Her favorite clients were first-time homebuyers. Forever the teacher, she went above and beyond to help them find the right home and tried to educate them about the home buying process.

Sue was a devoted friend. She treasured the friendship of her sisters of the Xi Sigma Delta sorority, of which she was a member for almost five decades. She always looked forward to their Sweetheart Ball and monthly luncheons. Their sisterhood provided immeasurable joy throughout her life, especially during her last months.

She also made lifelong friends through her church singles' group. These friendships helped her gain the courage after her divorce to learn new things, like the two-step, and to travel on her own, teaching in Kuwait for a summer, meeting her best friend in Paris for her 50th birthday, and making it to Stonehenge, a dream of hers.

Her single days ended the moment she met Jim, whom she married at Taughhannock Falls, New York in 1999. She and Jim met on the dance floor, but they soon put away their dancing boots and spent many years collecting art. They enjoyed traveling for art shows and getting to know the artists and developing relationships with other dedicated art lovers; the people were a significant part of their collecting. They also built strong friendships together, going to dinner with the same group every week for years. Always the hostess, together Sue and Jim hosted an annual super bowl party which was their highlight of the season, even installing small televisions in the bathrooms, so their guests would not miss a play.

In retirement, Sue and Jim enjoyed traveling the globe, taking cruises to many unique ports from Baltic to the Mediterranean seas. Sue really enjoyed Greece, which she returned to again and again. She loved walking in the footsteps of the ancient Greek mathematicians, like Pythagoras.

Spending time with her three grandchildren was the highlight of her life. She could often be found playing with blocks on the floor with them. Her absolute favorite thing to do was to swim in her pool with them. She was fortunate to live close to two of her grandchildren and cherished serving as the regular babysitter of her grandson for many years. The two developed a very close bond through early morning snuggles on the couch. She also supported her oldest granddaughter's stint in the marching band, driving around Texas to watch her perform. Visiting her youngest granddaughter in Arlington, Virginia as often as she could, to cheer for her at her soccer games and enjoy the cherry blossoms together was always a source of pride and joy. When the youngest Veronica won the Pi day competition in her class by reciting the most digits of Pi. Sue replied, as only a math teacher-grandmother could, "Pi is unending and irrational, just like my love for you."

Sue was a proud mother often bragging about her daughters' and step-daughter's accomplishments including Terry's work as a consumer protection lawyer, the Special Education programs Stacey created, and Steph's around the world adventures. Her girls were always a source of pride and joy.

Sue was predeceased by her parents, "Dr. Bob" and Harriet; her aunt "Dr. Jean;" her sisters, Ann and June; and her very loyal dog Brittany. She is survived by her husband, Jim; her daughter Stacey (Mark) and her children, Hannah and Sam; her daughter Terry (Patrick) and their daughter, Veronica; her stepdaughter, Stephanie; her brother Bob "Smitty;" and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Monday, October 27th at 2 PM with Visitation Sunday, October 26th 3-5PM at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, Spring, TX 77379

A memorial hike and gathering will be held in Trumansburg, New York in 2026. Together loved ones will hike to Taughhannock Falls and enjoy a casual reception to share stories and toast Sue and her amazing life. Contact the family for details.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St.Jude's Hospital.