Susan Malone

Susan Malone peacefully passed away surrounded by family and friends on December 20th after a brave and well-fought battle with cancer. Never one to complain, she chose laughter and time with friends and family making memories instead. She remained an optimistic beacon of hope for those who loved her most, and a graceful inspiration to all who knew her.

The second daughter of Janice and Holt Malone, Susan was born in Dallas, Texas on November 23rd, 1954. After graduating from WT White High School, Susan attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, her Freshman and Sophomore years, but after deciding to pursue a degree in advertising, which at the time was not offered at SMU, she applied to and was accepted at The University of Texas (UT) in Austin, from which she earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Advertising, Art and Design. When Susan applied to transfer, the school had just recently opened its own Department of Advertising which today is widely considered a top-tier institution and has been ranked the #1 advertising program in the nation by various organizations.

Susan’s first job after graduating was as an Art Director at the Bloom Agency in Dallas. After deciding she enjoyed copywriting more than art directing, she moved over to Wells, Rich & Greene in 1979. Her background in art directing played a big role in what an amazing visual thinker she was, as well as an excellent partner as a copywriter!

In addition to her time at the Bloom Agency, and Wells, Rich & Greene, Susan built her career at leading global advertising agencies including McCann-Erickson, and Ogilvy & Mather, which launched her move to Houston.

She created award-winning campaigns for iconic brands such as Exxon, Shell Oil, Six Flags, Texas Instruments, and American Airlines. Her work was repeatedly recognized across every major advertising award show.

Beyond her national impact, Susan was deeply influential at the local level through her active leadership and participation in Ad Clubs and Advertising Federations. She had a rare ability to take on the most complex marketing challenges, quickly identify the true problem at the core, and deliver solutions that were both strategically precise and creatively powerful. Within every agency she served, Susan was consistently recognized as top creative talent, earning the role of Creative Director time and again.

In her downtime, Susan enjoyed cooking, and was an avid reader, loving books of all kinds, often curling up on the sofa with her two beautiful, beloved Himalayan cats, Rambo & Kamikaze. She had a passion for collecting antiques, proudly displaying them around her beautiful home, each piece having its own unique story, which she loved to share.

Susan’s sentiment for nature and animals, was most satisfied when she would visit her sister and best friend, Janna and her husband Greg who live in a quiet, rural area of Virginia where a multitude of deer, fox, geese, owls and even the tiniest of hummingbirds, as well as many other beautiful, woodland creatures would be frequent visitors right in their backyard, bringing her so much joy.

Susan spent most holidays there in Great Falls, VA, with Janna & Greg in their home with their children and grandchildren, who were always excited to see their Aunt Susan, and every summer she looked forward to her vacation when she would fly out to spend several weeks with all of them coming together in their home on the beautiful beaches of North Carolina.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Janice Joyce Malone and Holt Malone. She is survived by her sister, Janna Bardnell, and her brother-in-law, Greg, along with their three children with whom Susan was very close. Nephew, Jason Bardnell, his wife, Tannaz and their children, Shane and Shylah; Nephew, Justin Bardnell (former spouse, Julia), and their children, Dylan and Jackson; and Niece, Jillian Wilkins, her husband, Tommy and their children, Cassidy and Ella.

Susan is also survived by her best and dearest friends, who have been like family for many decades; David & Tasha Farmer, and Robert Cox, all of Dallas, and Cindy & Kary Kemble of Houston.

A Celebration of Life graveside service is planned for 12:00pm, on Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, located at 7405 W. Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75225.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request that you consider a donation to The American Cancer Society in Susan’s name.

All who knew and loved Susan are welcome to attend her service, after which everyone is also welcome to join us at Susan’s favorite restaurant, El Fenix, where we have a private room secured, so we will be able to swap fun stories and share happy memories of our beloved sister, aunt, great-aunt, best friend, friend and colleague. El Fenix restaurant is conveniently located just down the street from Sparkman/Hillcrest, at 6811 W. Northwest Hwy.