Funeral Mass Held for Noted English Prof. and Columnist

“Young-hee and I promised to live as happy girls who can give hope to others. With a warm smile on her face, Young-hee says sorry on her way to heaven. An angel with flowers! Take a rest! The fragrance she left behind consoles my sorrow and yearning for my friend. Goodbye, Young-hee, and I love you.”

This poem was read by Lee Hae-in, a nun and the best friend of the late English professor and columnist Chang Young-hee. Mourners whimpered as the poem was read in the cathedral.

A funeral mass was held at St. Ignatius Cathedral at Sogang University yesterday in honor of the late Chang, who died of cancer Saturday at age 56. Around 600 mourners including her family, colleagues and students attended.

At the opening ceremony that began at 8:30 a.m. in the cathedral lobby yesterday, Chang’s bereaved relatives said, “I love you” and “Thank you” to Chang`s body. As the coffin was taken to the main hall at 9 a.m., mourners stood up and sang hymns. Sogang board director Yu Si-chan and priests officiated the funeral mass.

Sogang President Sohn Byung-doo cried while reading his funeral speech. “Despite her painful struggle to overcome cancer, Chang wrote insightful books that have given hope and courage to many people. I want to call her Young-hee like I would call my younger sister. Young-hee, you did well. Good-bye.”

Chang’s student Lee Gyeong-sun said, “I hoped to hold her hand and walk together. But I just walked away from her to prevent her from falling down due to crutches.”

zozo@donga.com