The following article is based on an essay written by Patricia Vido.
Article by Sara Furlong s.furlong@bradfordera.com
Published December 12, 2025 in The Bradford Era. Click for Website.
Author Patricia Vido recalls her friend.
A force of a woman who “energized any room when she entered it,” valued education and inspired other women and girls.
Bradford native Naomi “Ni” Carlson wanted to “wear out rather than rust out.” Carlson passed away about 10 years ago at the age of 84. Vido realized what must have happened when she didn’t receive Carlson’s customary holiday greeting as 2015 wound down.
“I think of her often as I grow older, resolved to follow her example,” Vido said. “Her motto inspired me to try fiction writing in retirement after a career in journalism and nonprofit management.”
Now, “For Love of Billie” will be published Feb. 14 and Vido has dedicated her work to Carlson’s memory. The novel will be available online and at major retailers upon its February launch.
An adolescent is smitten by his father’s young, female co-worker and subsequent lover, and a father-son love triangle results.
“Because Ni had a sophisticated worldview, I think she would appreciate the premise of my story,” Vido reasoned. “The coming-of-age/family drama set in 1980s western Pennsylvania explores the power and pull of first love and infatuation versus true love. It alludes to the ‘one who got away.’”
Vido recalled Carlson was physically active and mentally alert “to the end,” an “informal ambassador” for her hometown Bradford who would make friends of strangers.
Believing strongly in education, Vido said, Carlson remarkably undertook one course at a time for 30 years until she earned a degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford at the age of 75.
Vido explained that she came to know Carlson as an adult member of Girl Scouts, an organization Carlson credited with developing her independence and an early appreciation for the outdoors. Vido added Carlson was active with her church and a member of several other community organizations, patronized the local library and proudly supported her alma mater.
“From Ni’s extensive community involvement and the warm tributes at the time of her death,” Vido said, “she touched many lives and I believe there are many Bradford residents who will remember my friend.
“Readers lauded her as an amazing woman, a generous, giving person and a wonderful mentor to many girls.”
Vido recalled that Carlson loved to make people laugh, favoring the Ollie and Lena jokes that played on her Scandinavian heritage.
“This is one of my favorites,” Vido said. “On their honeymoon trip, Ole and Lena were nearing Minneapolis when Ole put his hand on Lena’s knee. Giggling Lena said, ‘Ole, you can go a little further now if you want to.’ So, Ole drove to Duluth.”
Vido said, “One of the characters in ‘For Love of Billie’ tells her son, ‘You never forget anyone you ever cared about.’ That’s exactly how I feel about Naomi ‘Ni’ Carlson.”
Also a native of western Pennsylvania, Vido now lives in Maryland. Learn more at patriciavido.com.
