Former Otago Daily Times sports reporter Richard Boock took on the task of completing the project two years ago, and the book should be on the shelves in time for Father's Day.
For Nye, handing over her husband's painstakingly compiled notes on the life and career of Sutcliffe, the great Otago and New Zealand cricketer, was a decision that took much courage.
Even before the former teacher finished Martin Donnelly: New Zealand Cricket's Master Craftsman in 1999 - a book which received a favourable review in the 2000 Wisden Cricketers' Almanack - he was already thinking about writing the Sutcliffe book.
So it was not easy letting go of something which was so dear to her husband, Vivienne Nye said.
"I'm absolutely delighted for the Sutcliffe family, and especially for Rod.
"There'll be tears of joy and sadness for poor Rod. But I always feel he is around and I'm over the moon.
"Bert was his idol and his hero as a child.
"I nearly died when he finished Martin Donnelly and said he was going to start on Bert Sutcliffe's book.
"I thought, 'Oh my God, when is this going to stop?"
'Rod Nye died in 2004 after battling a brain illness. He was 54.
It was always Vivienne Nye's intention to get the Sutcliffe book finished, but she needed to deal with her grief and take the time to find the "right writer".
Boock recalls getting a phone call from Nye "one Sunday evening".
"She started telling me the story and it was about two hours later that we actually hung up," Boock said.
Nye said she was not familiar with Boock's writing, but the pair established an immediate rapport.
Boock was quick to praise Nye's husband, describing his research as a "precious resource".
"A lot of the people he has interviewed have also since died.
"It is an amazing and precious resource. And time does not diminish the story at all."
Among those Rod Nye interviewed were the late Geoff Rabone, Tony MacGibbon, Noel McGregor and Walter Hadlee.
Boock, who worked at the Otago Daily Times from 1988 to 1998, has written two books - Stephen Fleming: The Balance of Power (2004) and Daniel Vettori: Turning Point (2008).
While both Fleming and Vettori were worthy subjects, Boock said the Sutcliffe story had "so many more layers".
"To tell you the truth, I haven't been able to get away from it.
"This is the first time I've written a book which has completely consumed me.
"It is a real collision of souls. So many people have wanted to see it happen.
"You just get enthusiasm from all the people that have been interviewed and their keen interest."
Sutcliffe established his place in New Zealand cricket folklore with a courageous innings at Johannesburg's Ellis Park during what has been dubbed the "Tangiwai Test", against South Africa.
The sight of the grief-stricken Bob Blair joining a heavily bandaged Sutcliffe at the wicket soon after discovering his fiancee had been killed in the Tangiwai railway disaster in December 1953 made an indelible impression on the psyche of a nation.
Sutcliffe wrapped his arm around his team-mate and accompanied him to the wicket.
Earlier in the match, Sutcliffe had been struck by a bouncer from South African fast bowler Neil Adcock.
He retired hurt but returned and launched a glorious counter-attack.
"To emphasise the sheer weight of his performance you have to talk about numbers and scores and stuff like that," Boock said.
"But, apart from being an outstanding cricketer, he was just a genuinely nice and warm-hearted bloke.
"If you could get a dollar for every time someone tells you Bert Sutcliffe never had a bad word to say about anyone, you'd be a wealthy man."
"Everyone worships him down here," Vivienne Nye agreed.
"He touched so many lives, and not just in cricket.
"He just had that wonderful persona that everyone loved."
The book has a title but Boock was reluctant to divulge it until publisher Random House had given him clearance.
Launch details have not been finalised.
