JUDY CHANG 1943-2018 By Anna Walcott-Hardy
The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Judy Yukzun Chang, CA, CPA, CMT was a true pilgrim, a woman of substance, integrity, intellect and altruism. Although she had a demanding, distinguished career in the financial services sector of Trinidad and Tobago, she devoted decades of service to her family, the community and the nation. Awarded the National Chaconia Gold Medal for Business, a member of the Board of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago and the Deposit Insurance Corporation, she was also a Trustee of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago. Throughout her lifetime, she remained committed to the development of public and private institutions throughout the country. As an unassuming young student walking through the gates of Bishop Anstey High School in Port of Spain, she excelled academically, yet, remained committed to the development of her alma mater and the church. A devoted Hilarian, she was a long-standing member of the school’s Board and subsequently, appointed Chairman. She was deeply involved in the development of Anstey House, and was often praised by committee members for her astute financial planning which “worked magic with minimal funding”. “She never sought the limelight, never wanted praise,” explained Chang’s close friend, the former Principal of Bishop Anstey High School, Port of Spain, Pat Ruddell. “Judy was a wonderful lady who is sadly missed by her family and friends. Her contribution to the school, the church, the business and banking community and many others was immeasurable. Trinidad and Tobago has suffered a major loss.” A chartered accountant, she was a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, having worked for over 29 years in Canada and Trinidad with the company, she retired early in 1997. She was then appointed Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation just prior to becoming the first Banking Services Ombudsman, a position she held until 2008. Her distinguished career in both the private and public sector includes being appointed to chair a committee on Company Law Reform for Trinidad and Tobago, which led to the historic enactment of a new Companies Act in April 1997, replacing a Companies Ordinance which was on the statute books for 60 years. “Judy left a lasting impression as a Director of the ANSA McAL Foundation, and as a member of the ANSA Caribbean Awards’ Regional Eminent Persons Panel from its inception in 2005,” A. Norman Sabga, Executive Chairman, ANSA McAL Group of Companies stated.
Her tireless efforts in private and public sectors earned her the respect of her peers ...
At ANSA McAL she was heralded as a “woman of substance who will be greatly missed” by colleagues throughout the Group. There she held several high-level positions having been appointed as a Director on the Parent Board from 28 June 2008 to 31 May 2012, she was also a Director on the ANSA Merchant Bank from 31 July 2012 to 30 April 2016. “Her tireless efforts in private and public sectors earned her the respect of her peers who were inspired by her commitment to effect change and improve the financial well-being of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,” Norman Sabga concluded. Devoted to her husband Leslie Peter, children Russell and Patricia, and grandchildren, she was remembered fondly as a talented seamstress and cook who loved to host family gatherings. Judy Chang was surrounded by family when she died peacefully on 8 March 2018, in Richmond Hill, Canada.
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