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Western Pennsylvania has a strong tradition of neighborhood, personal and community commitment. Our pride in pulling together goes far beyond supporting our deep-rooted sports teams. 90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making a Difference honors the individuals that are making a difference in people's lives on the ground level and reminding us we are all truly a part of each other's lives.This special series, supported by UPMC, will highlight, honor and celebrate Western Pennsylvanians who are unsung heroes daring to make a difference to others in our community.00000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770c8000000000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770ca000000000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770cc000090.5 WESA PA listening area counties:Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland, Butler, Armstrong, Cambria, Somerset, Bedford, Fayette, Indiana00000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770cd0000This project is made possible by a generous contribution from UPMC.

No Stranger to Tragedy, Lueana Coward Helps Others Cope With Grief

Debbi Casini Klein

Read and listen to a story about Lueana Coward as part of a series honoring the individuals who make a difference in people’s lives:90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making a Difference.

Lueana has faced tragedies unfathomable to any parent, but she has channeled her pain into helping others in the same situation.

“The grief of losing a child, especially as a murder victim so full of life, and a few minutes later they are lifeless," Lueana said. "That grief sticks with you always.”

Not only did Lueana, a mother of six, experience the grief of losing her oldest son Harry 13 years ago, her second son James died four years later. She received the terrible news again two years ago that her only surviving son Don was killed.

They were all murdered, all under the age of 20.

Lueana found strength through her spirituality and realized she needed to help other women who were going through the same loss.  After the death of her second son, she formed a support group, RELIEF. It stands for Recognizing Every Lingering Inward Emotional Feeling.