Published: October 01, 2008 10:52 pm      

Dr. Saturnina “Nina” Chang

CUMBERLAND — Dr. Saturnina “Nina” Tan Chang, 68, of Cumberland, passed into eternal rest surrounded by her loving family, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, at the Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park.

Born Nov. 29, 1939, in Leyte, Philippines, she was the daughter of the late Eh Pang Tan and Onty Ho.

On July 1, 1968, Dr. Chang began her internship in medicine at Lutheran Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. From July 1, 1969, to June 30, 1972, she served her residency in internal medicine at Beekman Downtown Hospital and later worked at a medical clinic in New York City. She started her solo medical practice from September 1978 to December 1980 in Tampa, Fla. She then moved to Cumberland in January of 1981, where she was employed at Miners Hospital in Frostburg as an Emergency Room doctor. She later opened her private practice in Frostburg in 1983 with her brother, Dr. Jesus Tan. She has cared for patients at Sacred Heart Hospital, Frostburg Community Hospital as well as many nursing homes in the Tri-State area, including Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, Frostburg Village and Lions Center.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Allegany County Medical Society and the Maryland State Medical Society.

Surviving are her husband, Dr. Piang-Su Chang; one son, Dr. Sidney T. Chang and wife Cheryl, St. Louis; one daughter, Victoria T. Chang, New York City; three brothers, San Ben Tan, Bing Tan and wife Arsenia, Philippines, Dr. Jesus Tan and wife Sandra, Cumberland; three sisters, Conchita Tan Yap, Pampila Tan, Juliana Tan Go and husband Sotero, Philippines; nephews, Joshua Tan, Cumberland, Dr. Jerry Tan and wife Hanita; nieces, Ethel Masten and husband Steve, Emma Tan and friend Gaston Chan, all of Virginia; cousins, Leonie Tan, Cumberland, Nenia Ebuna, New York, Niceta Ralloma, Jean Inako, Philippines; several great-nieces and great-nephews; many special friends including Laura Watts.

A special thanks to her office staff Ruby, Judy and JoAnn for their love and support. They are a kind, compassionate staff who are loved and admired.

She dedicated her life in caring for her patients. She leaves a legacy of love and compassion for her family, patients and friends. She cared deeply for everyone she came in contact with and will be greatly missed. “Our loss is Heaven’s gain.”

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., Cresaptown, scarpellifh.com on Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. A Christian wake service will be conducted at the funeral home on Friday at 9 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Saturday at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Thomas R. Bevan as celebrant.

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of a memorial donation in her name to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 201 N. Centre St., Cumberland, MD 21502.