Judith Huang was born in Shanghai. She graduated with a degree of LLB from Soochow University and studied music at the National Conservatory in Shanghai.

During the Japanese occupation of China, she and her husband Tom were refugees in Kweilin, the capital of Kwangsi Province. Tom was professor at the Kwangsi National University and Judith taught music in two schools.

After VJ (Victory over Japan) Day, Tom returned to Nanking to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while Judith went to Shanghai to be the chief court interpreter in the High Court, and later, the superintendent of a newly established women's prison. In only three years, with an all-female staff, Judith succeeded in educating the inmates to the point where none returned after their release. The prison became known as a model prison and even became a tourist attraction. This success was a highlight of Judith's life.

In 1947, Judith moved to Canada with Tom, who was appointed councilor to the Chinese Embassy in Ottowa. These few years of diplomatic life ended when China became communist. A period of hardship followed before the couple were naturalized as Canadian citizens and both became employed with the federal government.

From 1965-1968 they were in West Africa, where Tom was a professor at the University of Liberia in Monovia. A tropical country situated along the Atlantic Ocean, Liberia is a hot and humid place where everything flourishes: trees, flowers, all kinds of insects. But it was the graceful palm trees, the roaring ocean waves, the colorful costumes and headdresses of the people that inspired Judith to paint. Although her father was a famous artist in China, she started her art lessons in Ottowa. She had three shows, and later four exhibitions in Calgary. See album showing some of her works.

Tom and Judith moved to Calgary in 1968, when he was a visiting professor at the University of Calgary. When he retired in 1971, they chose to stay and spend their remaining years there.

--Adapted from Judith's autobiography, A Collection of Recollections

中文 translation in progress