Obituary of Pauline Chang

Chang, Pauline, of Somers, NY died on Friday, October 25 peacefully in her home surrounded by family.

Pauline was born on June 6, 1938, in Qingdao, China. She grew up amid the looming threat of a Communist China that placed her home and family in peril. The youngest of seven children, she was the cherished daughter of a high-ranking naval officer whose dream for his little girl was to learn English… go to America… and marry a doctor.

Her family left China by boat and settled in Taiwan, where she found a Catholic community, was baptized, and later attended university; and with the guidance of numerous priests in her life, an extraordinary faith forged out of perseverance and strength emerged. To imagine the faith, courage and endurance needed to travel to America – a young woman in her 20s, alone without family in New York City, attending Fordham as a graduate student – is to know her true character and strength.

After forty years of living in Brewster, NY, during which time she raised her family and managed her husband’s medial practice, Heritage Hills in Somers became the community she love and thrived in. As a devoted and cherished member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, her fellow 9 o’clock mass congregants and the St. Joseph’s faith community were her social circle and extended family.  Her active life was made of up of food, family, and fellowship. Extended walks along the Heritage grounds and long hours sitting on the deck feeling the gentle breeze were a source of respite and relaxation.

Pauline is the cherished wife of Dr. Paul Chang and the loving mother of Francis and daughter-in-law Julie of Bronxville, NY; Theresa of West New York, NJ; and Melanie of Brooklyn, NY. She is the beloved grandmother of Abigail and “grand-dog” Myles.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, 95 Plum Brook Road, Somers, NY on Saturday, November 2^nd at 11:30am. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 357 Route 202, Somers, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to St. Joseph's RC Church in Somers, NY.