Obituary of Ms. Lee Ling Chang
On the morning of April 25, 2024 Lee Ling Chang passed away at home, surrounded by loving family and caregivers in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the age of 75 years old.
Ling was born in Penang, Malaysia. She attended the premier St. George’s Girls’ School where she was elected Head Prefect and is remembered fondly for her sense of humor, artistic talent and kindness by many friends and alumni.
Her life changed towards the end of high school when she was treated for suspected Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with high dose neck radiation. Afterwards, she went on to study graphic design at the City of Leicester Polytechnic (England), then attended the Alberta College of Art in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She first worked as a fashion illustrator at the Hudson's Bay Company, then later as a designer/art director with several advertising agencies in Edmonton. She married and had one son, whom she raised as a single mother. He grew up to be an emergency physician.
In 1983, she moved to Toronto and initially worked with Saffer, Cravit & Freedman Advertising Agency before freelancing as a graphic designer and illustrator. In 1993, she decided to pursue a career as an artist. She developed a unique, three-dimensional paint, combining bright colours and simple images to make colourful and whimsical art. Some of the shows she participated at included the One-Of-A-Kind Show and the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.
From the mid 1990s, she began having long-term complications from her medical treatment, leading to a mechanical heart valve (2005), feeding tube (2007) and tracheostomy (breathing tube, 2008) for progressive breathing and swallowing difficulties. Still, she lived independently in her own home until 2017, and enjoyed gardening or cooking for guests. Specifically, she tried to recreate recipes from Penang, her hometown. At times, she joked that she was partly bionic. She enjoyed spending time with her first grandson, Malcolm.
In late 2019, she was back in hospital, permanently requiring a ventilator to breathe. For many, this might have been the end of the story, but she found the hospital too restrictive and the hospital cable TV lacking her favourite channels. After the first wave of COVID settled, she moved back home in December 2020. A second grandson, Magnus, was born while she was in hospital, followed by a third grandson, Maxton, in 2022.
Ling demonstrated an inspiring tenacity and determination to make the most of her unfortunate health situation. She continued to enjoy following current events and sports on television. She was hoping to see a Canadian NHL team win the Stanley Cup this year. Her room was frequently invaded/terrorized by three assailants aged 2, 4 and 6 years old, whom she also watched causing mischief elsewhere in the house via livestreaming. She played Sudoku with her caregivers and Tic Tac Toe with her oldest grandson. Her caregivers often remarked on the loving attitude and positive energy that she exuded. She knew that she was well loved and our house was warmer with her.
Ling is preceeded in death by her father Chin Sam (Boon Shin), mother Siah Kee (Shirley), and cat Scrubs. She is survived by her son Boon, daughter-in-law Cynthia, and three grandsons Malcolm, Magnus and Maxton.
After the funeral, she will be cremated and transported to her final resting place at St. John's Norway Cemetery, close to where her mother is buried.
A visitation will be held at Ogden Funeral Home Saturday May 4, 2024 10 am - 11 am. Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Livestream is available here.
If you would like to make a donation in her name, she often supported local hospitals such as the Toronto General Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital or Michael Garron Hospital because of how often she frequented them.
