Alexander Levy, of Scenery Hill, passed away from COVID-19 Sunday, January 3, 2021, in UPMC St. Margaret Hospital in Aspinwall. He was 77 years old. His wife and four children were by his side at the time of his death.

Alex was born in Gary, Ind., September 22, 1943, a son of Saul and Elizabeth Levy, and had one older sister, Marina Levy.

Alex received his undergraduate degree from Oberlin College and earned his graduate degree in clinical psychology from The University of Pittsburgh. Alex ran an independent clinical psychology practice for more than 40 years in Pittsburgh. He was one of the original founders of Alpha House, a community-focused substance-use disorder treatment center in Pittsburgh.

He is the author of The Orphaned Adult: Understanding And Coping With Grief And Change After The Death Of Our Parents, published by Perseus Books in 1999, which has been translated into multiple languages and is widely read around the world.

Alex is survived by his wife, Jeanne Marie Laskas; his children, Amy Levy Tiedemann, Peter Levy, Anna Levy and Sasha Levy; his grandchildren, Samantha Tiedemann and Rowan Tiedemann; and his cousins, Riva Levy and Dori Levy. He is also survived by the entire Laskas family, who adopted him as one of their own and loved him dearly.

The family will hold a memorial service this spring once it is safe for people to gather. They ask that those who wish to be notified of the service please share their email at https://everloved.com/life-of/alexander-levy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends plant a tree in Alex's memory or send a donation to the American Red Cross, an organization supporting families dealing with tragedies caused by COVID-19 as well as an organization Alex volunteered with for many years.

Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc., freyvogelfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Observer-Reporter on Jan. 9, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Alexander Levy

5 Entries

Judith McKnight Krynski

April 13, 2024

I was trying to tell my current therapist how I transitioned from working as a psychiatric nurse with a BSN at WPIC in 1969. I was sure that this was not for me. I took several to look for a new direction. His course on Abnormal Psychology was just what I needed and inspired me to take more courses in the area of psychology. He was such a dynamic teacher and able to make his class and work with individuals with mental health problems the thing I wanted to do the rest of my professional career. I am grateful for having taken his class!!!! I have been a licensed psychologist since 1983 and have enjoyed my career.

Dr. Levy was only 3 years older than me. I was sorry to hear that he lost his life to Covid. I'm happy to hear that you were with him as he passed.

Baris Altintas

December 3, 2023

I just found out about Alexander Levy's passing. I lost my dad earlier in January during a brutal battle with cancer -which was also cut short by COVID - and his illness has been very traumatic for me.

In June, I happened upon The Orphaned Adult and in addition to understanding my own feelings about my dad's passing, it gave me a strong sense of relief. It was like talking to a friend, someone who understands and knows what you are going through.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends. But also, just saw the other comments from his readers and it just makes me realize what great legacy he leaves behind.

Alan Snitzer

January 29, 2023

I just learned of Dr. Levy's tragic death from covid a year ago, and am very saddened to learn of his passing.

My sincere condolences to his family, friends and associates.

I bought "The Orphaned Adult" after the passing of my mom 9 yrs ago (which came almost 8 years after my dad's death. )

I found the book so helpful and comforting that I sent copies to my 2 younger brothers, and have also sent copies to several friends in the same position over the years, including 2 in just the past month.

His book was so poignant and powerful, and has clearly helped so many people across the world, that it will surely be his lasting legacy, along with his life's work as a psychologist, and wonderful family.

May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing.

I'm going to make a donation to the Red Cross, as suggested, in his memory, a fine organization to whom I also regularly donate money and blood.

Maria Elena Olvera

October 14, 2022

I have just learned of Alexander Levy´s passing. Good lord from COVID.
My siblings and I became adult orphans this past July as our dear Mom passed as a result of gastric cancer. She was 90. She had type 2 diabetes. I thought she would pass from complications from diabetes. But the cancer crept up on Mom. She never complained. Here we were worried about Covid too. Cancer !!
Mom was in home hospice for three weeks.
I´m still grieving and that is why I purchased and continue to read and process Dr Levy´s "The Orphaned Adult". I am grateful for his book. I have the book at my bedside, along with "How to go on living when someone you love dies" (Therese Rando, PhD) which I obtained after my Dad died in 2012.
My heartfelt condolences to his family, extended family and friends.
My sincere gratitude to Alexander for his sensitive and inspirational book.
I will take and read his book each time I visit my parents´ niche.
Take care.

Christine Lomas (Mrs)

July 30, 2022

I live in Derbyshire, England and have only just learned of the sad loss of Alexander Levy last year (2021). I bought his book four years ago 'The Orphaned Adult' after losing both my parents within five months of each other. My Mum died in September 2017 and my Dad in February 2018. Reading Alexander's book helped me so much. He really understood how much it hurts to lose your parents. He showed great understanding and compassion in all he wrote. It's the best book I have read about parental bereavement. I was greatly saddened to learn of his death and send my deepest sympathy to his family. God bless you.

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