Pamela Alexander Blackwood

Pamela Alexander Blackwood
March 14, 1948 - September 14, 2025
Pam Alexander Blackwood, age 77, passed away in her apartment in Squirrel Hill on September 14, 2025, following a period of chronic illness. Pam is survived by her sisters Nedra Faulkner of Conroe, Texas and KC Joachim of Norfolk, Virginia, niece Sarah Joachim, nephew Zach Joachim, and many dear friends who will miss her enormously.
Her unique combination of sensitive, wide-ranging intelligence and curiosity, as well as a joy-filled, loving heart, drew many friends to her. All who knew her were touched deeply by her exuberant spirit.
Pam was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. She lived in Germany and traveled extensively in Europe with her ex-husband Mike Blackwood in her 20s, then moved to Pittsburgh in her early 30s to pursue a masters degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work.
She loved teaching. As a popular adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work for many years, she was a role model for many budding social workers. A skilled and dedicated therapist and trainer, she worked most recently at the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute until her retirement. Over the years, she also saw clients at Catholic Charities,
Allegheny East MH/MR, and St Francis Community Mental Health Center.
Pam was a long-time member of the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh where she facilitated adult religious education classes, mentored teens, created women's retreats, and was the co-founder/leader of the Spirit Seekers covenant group for 25 years.
A passionate reader, she was a member of a local book club for 22 years. She enjoyed making jewelry and gifted her friends many colorful necklaces and pairs of earrings. Pam also loved animals, had many dogs and cats over the years, and left behind her beloved cat, Cami.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 3 pm at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh in Shadyside.
A livestream for the service can be found at: https://youtube.com/live/DLS-zthRK9I?feature=share
Donations in her name can be made to the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, or Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Arrangements were entrusted to D'Alessandro Funeral Home and Crematory, Ltd.