It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the death of Mrs. Chun-Ja Kang (nee Sung). She passed away peacefully in her sleep as the year closed, on December 31, 2024. She was 80 years old. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years, Mr. Woo-Suk Kang. She is survived by Yun-Suk and her husband Hrvoje, Jin and her husband Wim, Myung-Jin, her husband Oren and the apple of her eye, her granddaughter, Mia. She is also survived by her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and a goddaughter.

She will be remembered for her optimism and indominable spirit.

Chun-Ja Sung was born in 1944 near Busan in South Korea, the youngest of nine children to Mr. Bong Sun Sung and his wife Ms Yoo Kam Yoon. When the Korean War began, her father was permitted to stay with and protect his family instead of fighting in the war because Chun-Ja was still a young child. As a result, her father credited her with saving his life. Despite a difficult childhood during the Korean War and the aftermath, this is the only story she told about that period in her life.

In university, Chun-Ja studied organic chemistry and was pursuing a PhD when she got married in 1970 and started her family. She and her husband moved to Canada in 1976 with their three daughters in tow. In Canada, they started, owned, and operated three independent businesses. They also helped found the Heritage Language Program at the Toronto District School Board which evolved into the International Languages Program and African Heritage Program, offering instruction in 49 languages. In 2017, the Korean Consulate General formally recognized her more than 30 years of dedicated service to Korean language education for the next generation of overseas Koreans and the development of the overseas Korean community.

Chun-Ja reluctantly retired at the young age of 72 to dedicate more time to caregiving for her husband. As his health further deteriorated, he moved into long-term care at Cummer Lodge where she visited every day to supervise and manage the care provided by the dedicated doctors, nurses and personal support workers. He received exemplary care; she would not have allowed anything less. Soon after, due to her own deteriorating health, they were reunited at Cummer Lodge. Initially, much to their chagrin, reunification meant residing on the same floor but in different rooms. They staged a sit-in and protested until they were assured of reunification on their terms. That indominable spirit resurfaced again. We are deeply grateful for the outstanding care provided by the dedicated doctors, nurses, personal support workers and the staff at Cummer Lodge.

Chun-Ja lived life in the fullest terms. As she moved into the afterlife, I envision our father eagerly awaiting her to welcome and embrace her as they are reunified once again.

We would be honoured to have you join us on Thursday, January 9th at York Cemetery and Funeral Centre. Please refer to the visitation and reception details provided.

If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to Arirang Adult Day Program which provides culturally tailored recreation and healthcare services for Korean seniors in the GTA. In the years before entering long term care, and for a few years after, both Mr. and Mrs. Kang enjoyed participating in Arirang’s program.