Marion "Betty" L. (Larson) Carlson

Marion Elizabeth "Betty" Larson Carlson, age 96, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Hanna Healthcare, Longwood at Oakmont in Verona. Born on October 30, 1926, in Jamestown, NY, she was the only child of the late David E. and Mildred C.V. (Johnson) Larson. She was a Class of 1944 graduate of Jamestown High School and a 1947 graduate of the former Millard Fillmore Hospital School of Nursing in Buffalo, NY, where she proudly earned her Registered Nurse credentials. She married her high school sweetheart, Gerald “Jerry" Carlson on December 7, 1947, in Memphis, TN, and after brief sojourns to New Orleans, LA, and Columbus, OH, they settled in Pittsburgh, where she worked as a scrub nurse in the OR at Shadyside Hospital for a short time before turning her attention to raising their two children. Nursing called her back in 1966 when she joined the staff of Planned Parenthood Center of Pittsburgh as coordinator of their first vasectomy clinic. In 1973, she was hired by the University of Pittsburgh to work at Falk Clinic as a staff nurse for the medical school staff physicians in their private practices. During her time at Pitt and what then became UPMC, she worked with a variety of clinicians in Internal Medicine, Urology, Cardiology, Rheumatology, and Neurology. She retired for the 3rd time in 2003 but returned to the Department of Neurology to work as an office volunteer for several more years. The 1970’s brought fundamental changes to the world of emergency medicine in the state of Pennsylvania and Betty worked alongside Jerry as he helped to shepherd Wilkins-Churchill Rescue One, the former Pennsylvania Ambulance Association and EMSI. She was so proud of her son, Steve, as he found his life’s work as one of the first Paramedics for the City of Pittsburgh. Accomplished in sewing and knitting, Betty constructed tailored clothing and was often found with knitting needles and yarn in hand. She enjoyed the hours she spent volunteering with the “yarn group” for the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary annual craft sales. As a resident of 5+ years at Longwood, she found good companionship with the Wednesday morning knitting group and the Garden Club.

Preceded in death by Jerry, her husband of 53 years, and their son G. Stephen (Steve), Betty leaves behind her daughter, Christine Smith and husband Andrew of Orangeville PA; daughter-in-law Patricia Carlson of Pittsburgh; grandchildren G. Stephen Carlson, Jr. of Kennesaw, GA, Victoria M. Smith of Arlington, VA, John Jerald Smith and wife Nicole of Frederick, MD; great-grandchildren Grace and Michael Sislow; and nieces Leslie (Kenneth) Schwartz and Linda Palm-Montalbano. Over the years, many of her co-workers and acquaintances became good friends and the family thanks you all for your caring friendships. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26, at 1pm with the Rev. Cameron Soulis officiating at Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15206. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Calvary Episcopal Church, or The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Western PA Division, PO Box 742, Carnegie PA 15106, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral arrangements by Wolfe Memorial, LLC. www.wolfepgh.com

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