Most of our Pittsburgh Chapter TCF Members are already acquainted with Pearl Smith through reading her many stories which appear in our newsletter under the column "Survivor Stories".

She, along with her husband, Dave, became a member of our Pittsburgh Chapter after their daughter, Karen Christine Smith died in tragic automobile accident on the Washington, D.C. beltway on March 4, 1990 at the age of 24. Pearl related that her strong faith has given her comfort and peace after that tragedy. She has a gift for writing poetry and prose and has published two books: "A mother's Grief, Faith, Hope, Peace" and "My March Fourth From March Fourth". When her "muse" appears, she says she jots down her thoughts, rhymes, etc. right away as otherwise these will escape. Writing about her personal grief and loss has helped her so much during her j14 year journey and she highly recommends and encourages others to do so because "telling brings back memories and memories bring back feelings." This can be very therapeutic.
(Hutchinson, Charlotte, "Sunday Meeting Review of April 25, 2004",  Pittsburgh, PA Newsletter - The Compassionate Friends, August/September, 2004, Page 7 )

TCF Pittsburgh Chapter is proud and happy to bring her "Survivor Stories" through web for the healing benefit of the bereaved at large.

"It was the midnight ride ... "  TCF Newsletter February/March 2006 (*New)