MERIDEN - Pearl Allen Gradwell, 95, of Metacomet Drive, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003. She was the widow of Edgar A. Gradwell, who died in 1984. She is survived by her daughter, Martha L. Gradwell of Meriden. Mrs. Gradwell was born in Meriden, the daughter of the late Walter and Martha Robinson Allen and was the granddaughter of the late Lewis Allen, who was one of the four founders of the Journal Publishing Company, predecessor of the Record-Journal in 1886. Her father, Walter Allen, devoted his entire professional career to the newspaper, retiring as Managing Editor. Mrs. Gradwell worked at the Meriden Journal for several years prior to her marriage in 1935. Pearl Gradwell was a member of the Meriden Women's Club and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. She graduated from Meriden High School in 1925 and attended the School of Practical Arts and Letters at Boston University. The funeral will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 20 Catlin St., Meriden. Burial will be private in Walnut Grove Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beecher and Bennett Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Avenue, Meriden, CT. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to The Meriden Soup Kitchen, c/o St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 20 Catlin St., Meriden, CT 06450 or to the charity of the donor's choice.