Memories of Ruth Elizabeth Chang

In memory of

Ruth Elizabeth Chang

Los Angeles, CA, USA

1940 - January 16, 2021

1940 - Jan 16, 2021

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Kate Kuo

Ruth was my guidance counselor when I first transferred from a local Chinese school to TAS when I was in 5th grade. My spoken English was great, but I could barely read or write, and I was shy, nervous and self-conscious. Ruth was warm, inviting, upbeat, professional, and thorough, and made me feel welcome and normal in a totally foreign place. She also caved to my mom who begged her not to put me in ESL and vowed that I would catch up in the regular track, which I eventually did! Thanx to Ruth’s decision, I had a great experience for the rest of my time at TAS. My sincerest condolences. Her warmth and smile will be remembered forever. ❤️❤️

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Jose Chang

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

She loved her kids and I saw that level of appreciation when we would run into these same kids outside of... Read more She loved her kids and I saw that level of appreciation when we would run into these same kids outside of school...they literally... Read more She loved her kids and I saw that level of appreciation... Read more

Christina Chang

Thank you so much, Kate. She was so great with kids, I‘m glad you got to experience her warmth and kindness!... Read more Thank you so much, Kate. She was so great with kids, I‘m glad you got to experience her warmth and kindness! Thank you so much, Kate. She was so great with kids,... Read more

Sydney Hosking

Ruth was a beautiful spirit with a great smile. 😇

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Jose Chang

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

Yes she was and did have a big smile! Thanks for your memory! Yes she was and did have a big smile! Thanks for your memory! Yes she was and did have a big smile! Thanks for your... Read more

Christina Chang

Thank you, Sydney. Thank you, Sydney. Thank you, Sydney.

Kit Kengott

I had the good fortune of getting to work and know Ruth while at Hong Kong International School. Ruth was a good egg. She worked her socks off to make sure all the students, parents and teachers in the different grade levels were met. She made a positive impact and touched many lives including mine.

Each year Ruth remembered everyone’s birthday on staff (teachers, support staff, guards, cleaners, etc.) by getting them a flower in a vase with a happy birthday note. Celebrating holidays with the Lower Primary students was one of her favorite activities. She had earrings that lit up, holiday sweaters, goofy headbands, and socks for every holiday. Ruth was the unofficial social director in the Student Services department. During the annual school’s Open House she hosted the team to a special Chinese dinner made by Jose. Every Christmas party Ruth insisted the team come to her home to celebrate. During weekly team meetings if there was anything even remotely deserving of a celebration Ruth would insist we check that off before proceeding to the “other” agenda items.

My favorite Ruth memory was in Florida when we went for an air boat ride. Following the ride we got lost in the sugar cane fields trying to find a restaurant on the beach. When we finally found the restaurant we used it as an excuse to eat, drink and be merry. Unfortunately, while we sat there a huge storm rolled in. We got soaked as we ran back to the car. We laughed for hours.

Her proudest achievement was being the mother to Christina and Jose Douglas. She loved sharing stories about them.

I will miss Ruth’s positive energy!

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Jose Chang

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

Mom did work "her socks off"; something that I have tried to emulate (unsuccessfully, haha) but will certainly... Read more Mom did work "her socks off"; something that I have tried to emulate (unsuccessfully, haha) but will certainly always be proud... Read more Mom did work "her socks off"; something that I have... Read more

Christina Chang

Thank you for your share, Kit. Mom sure was fond of you. I remember the story about the sugar cane fields... Read more Thank you for your share, Kit. Mom sure was fond of you. I remember the story about the sugar cane fields and then the storm. ... Read more Thank you for your share, Kit. Mom sure was fond of... Read more

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Berenice De Arcos

2021, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Taking care of Ruth will forever be a wonderfull memory . Ruth will always be remembered in my heart for her beauty and her giggles at the jokes we would tell her. Her eyes one of the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. I will miss her ❤ andI hope one day we will meet again . ❤❤❤

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Soam Lall

Berenice De Arcos

Jose Chang

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

Thanks for your time with her at the end; if she could've thanked you she would've. Thanks for your memory!... Read more Thanks for your time with her at the end; if she could've thanked you she would've. Thanks for your memory! Thanks for your time with her at the end; if she could've... Read more

Christina Chang

Thank you B. Mom was lucky to have you in her corner - twice! Your care was so appreciated by all of us. ... Read more Thank you B. Mom was lucky to have you in her corner - twice! Your care was so appreciated by all of us. 💜 Thank you B. Mom was lucky to have you in her corner... Read more

Soam Lall

Shared a heart

Gary Hindman

1957, Neodesha, KS, USA

Pink and grey Ford convertible could make 100 mph with the top down and loaded with screaming teens!!

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Jose Chang

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

Haha would've been a trip to see her have this kind of fun! Thanks for the memory! Haha would've been a trip to see her have this kind of fun! Thanks for the memory! Haha would've been a trip to see her have this kind... Read more

Mary Rush

2007, Kansas City, KS, USA

Ruth’s delight at her surprise retirement party

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Mary Rush

Soam Lall

Jose Chang

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

I remember how surprised she was! She really appreciated and loved the whole experience! Thanks for your... Read more I remember how surprised she was! She really appreciated and loved the whole experience! Thanks for your memory! I remember how surprised she was! She really appreciated... Read more

Christina Chang

Thanks for the photo, Mary. And thanks for being there to help us surprise and celebrate her 💜 Thanks for the photo, Mary. And thanks for being there to help us surprise and celebrate her 💜 Thanks for the photo, Mary. And thanks for being there... Read more

Jiffy Iuen

Ruth was such a dynamite lady. I always loved her goofball spirit. I’ll always remember her that way. And it lives on in Christina. :)

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Jose Chang

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

Thanks for your memory Jiffy! Thanks for your memory Jiffy! Thanks for your memory Jiffy!

Christina Chang

Thanks, monkey💜 Thanks, monkey💜 Thanks, monkey💜

Hower Ho

Shared a heart

Jan Yung

Ruth was always a fun-loving soul. You had to be careful around the holidays as she always had ‘surprises’ - I always got caught stepping on her hidden pad at her office door (can’t remember what scary sounds or laughs it emitted’). She and Jose visited me in Houston and several years later I drove to Orlando to visit her - we took a fun trip around Florida for several days. There was never a dull moment. She was immensely proud of both Christina and Jose D. Ruth - you will never be forgotten 💞

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Jose Chang

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

Haha, thats great! I sometimes forget she could be somewhat mischievous! Thanks for your memory! Haha, thats great! I sometimes forget she could be somewhat mischievous! Thanks for your memory! Haha, thats great! I sometimes forget she could be... Read more

Christina Chang

Thank you, Jan. Thank you, Jan. Thank you, Jan.

Gayla Bazil

Ruth will be missed a lot for sure! I have many fond memories of summer trips with Ruth, Paula, Janet. We went to Kansas alot, Branson, Mo, Colorado & rode a train to Chicago when we all turned 70. So much fun & yes she had a great laugh & was fun to be around. She is having a good time in heaven now. Ken & I send our thoughts & prayers to you, Christina,Jose & family. We know you will miss her a lot. Love, Ken & Gayla

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Jose Chang

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

Official Fab Four member! This trip was so important to her during the summers, thanks for making it special!... Read more Official Fab Four member! This trip was so important to her during the summers, thanks for making it special! Ken was always... Read more Official Fab Four member! This trip was so important... Read more

Christina Chang

Gayla, thank you for sharing. You gals were pals for so long. Hugs to you and Ken. Gayla, thank you for sharing. You gals were pals for so long. Hugs to you and Ken. Gayla, thank you for sharing. You gals were pals for... Read more

Troy Williams

2010, Disneyworld, Orlando, FL, USA

We were lucky to know Ruth before dementia and I will always remember the smile on her face the day we all arrived at Disneyworld for my husband, Craig's then 30th birthday in November 2010. She greeted all of us at the gates and her excitement was palpable. I got to see her quite a few times over the years when she moved to Los Angeles to be by Christina, Soam and Samara, but sincerely, I've always remembered her smile and face from that day. Even now, 10 years later and I can see it as clear as day in my mind as she walked toward our group with all the joy to escort us into the Magic Kingdom. Sleep in peace Ruth and may all of your dreams be filled with the joy you felt being at Disneyworld and spending time with all of your loved ones.

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Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

Christina and I were lucky enough to share her enthusiasm in the multiple trips we took to both Disneys and... Read more Christina and I were lucky enough to share her enthusiasm in the multiple trips we took to both Disneys and even the one in Japan!... Read more Christina and I were lucky enough to share her enthusiasm... Read more

Christina Chang

Thank you for the share, Troy. Love you! Thank you for the share, Troy. Love you! Thank you for the share, Troy. Love you!

Janey Zimmerman

Ted and I keep Ruth's family in our hearts and prayers. Ruth was my colleague at Hong Kong International School and became my very dear friend. In past years, many times when Ted and I had a chance to visit Ruth, Christina would come join and it was like a party! This fall when Christina had to be in Vancouver for work, I was still able to connect with Ruth for a weekly "lunch date" because Christina arranged for Ellen, Ruth's caretaker to connect us on video and in conversation. Because of Alzheimer's, Ruth's menu had to arrive in pureed form, but Ellen gently joked with Ruth and enticed her into responding. Ruth would look up with her big blue eyes and seemed to know she was very well cared for! Upon hearing me tell the story of Ruth's hidden candy bars in her desk drawer back at HKIS, Ellen even got the kitchen to puree a Snickers candy bar for her! This is the first Tuesday that our Ruth is not around for our weekly "lunch date." I miss my dear friend, and I also give thanks that, with a little help from those close to her, Ruth remained her loveable self who welcomed life. Yes, now without the constraints of Alzheimer's, I think I hear her laughing and dancing again! Ted and I give thanks for Ruth's time among us.

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Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

You and Ted were so kind to her throughout her life and not just at the end; if she could've hugged you and... Read more You and Ted were so kind to her throughout her life and not just at the end; if she could've hugged you and thanked you, you know... Read more You and Ted were so kind to her throughout her life... Read more

Christina Chang

Indeed. You two were exceptional friends throughout. So grateful to you for that. Indeed. You two were exceptional friends throughout. So grateful to you for that. Indeed. You two were exceptional friends throughout.... Read more

Erika Rossa

Shared a heart

Donna Koehneke

Hong Kong International School - Lower Primary, South Bay Close, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong

What a beautiful tribute was written by Ruth's family on this poignant occasion. I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Ruth. I know she was loved by many. I was privileged to teach at HKIS when Ruth was a guidance counselor. It wasn't a surprise to me that upon retiring, she had a part-time job as a costumed greeter at Disneyland! I have many fond memories of colorful Ruth dressed from head to toe in a color or costume for any and every possible occasion - including Leprechaun green for St. Patricks day- greeting children and staff as they arrived for school. I like to remember her vivacious personality - and ability to bring joy and laughter to others. Sending my love to the family during this difficult time.

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Donna Koehneke

Christina Chang

Comments:

Jose Chang

She did love to express herself at the holidays! Christmas bell earrings every Christmas, without fail haha!... Read more She did love to express herself at the holidays! Christmas bell earrings every Christmas, without fail haha! Thanks for you memory!... Read more She did love to express herself at the holidays! Christmas... Read more

Christina Chang

Yes, she was definitely vivacious and joyful! Thank you for the share. Yes, she was definitely vivacious and joyful! Thank you for the share. Yes, she was definitely vivacious and joyful! Thank... Read more