MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A longtime supporter of West Virginia University and WVU Medicine is being fondly remembered.
Betty Puskar died at home in Morgantown Sunday. She was 80.
WVU Foundation President and CEO Cindi Roth said Tuesday Puskar was a one-of-a-kind person that defined what it means to “pay it forward.”
“She’s looking down on this entire state that she loves and heaven will never be the same with Betty up there,” Roth said. “She’s up there fighting for all of us now.”
Puskar was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985. She was treated for the disease in Texas. Not long after that she made it a priority to create a breast care treatment facility in Morgantown. It became known as The Betty Puskar Breast Care Center. She made the first donation in 1994.
The annual Betty Puskar Futures LPGA Golf Tournament would help fund the cancer center. The tournament took place for 17 years at the Pines Country Club just outside of Morgantown. The fashion show connected to the tournament was also very popular.
?️ “Betty was a force of nature; her personality would light up a room as soon as she walked in – yet she did it with such grace, humility and in her own unique way.”
West Virginia University remembers Betty Puskar: https://t.co/3Horjo5xyb pic.twitter.com/Sn0ZIJi1kh
— WVU Foundation (@WVUFoundation) June 16, 2020
Dr. Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, interim director of the WVU Cancer Institute, said Puskar was committed to providing emotional support to women battling breast cancer as well.
“Her telephone number was listed in the phone book and she did that intentionally because she wanted women that needed her or needed her influence or wisdom to be able to find her,” Hazard-Jenkins said.
Puskar was soft-spoken and humble but was also determined to complete a task, Roth said.
“I call it quintessential elegance,” Roth said. “She really had a style all her own.”
Hazard-Jenkins said Puskar’s efforts won’t be forgotten.
“She built the Betty Puskar Breast Center, she was part of the advocacy that ultimately resulted in the WVU Cancer Center and the WVU Cancer Institute,” Hazard-Jenkins said. “Her touch was immeasurable.”
WVU President Gordon Gee said the university has lost a great friend but Puskar’s legacy will live on.
“The Betty Puskar Breast Care Center is but one result of her philanthropy and commitment to the betterment of our community. West Virginia University and West Virginia will always be grateful for her lively and generous spirit,” Gee said in a WVU Today story.
Roth said Puskar lived a full life.
“I’m sad, but I also know she lived a life filled with purpose and she defined that, she knew it,” Roth said. “You’d never find anyone more genuine than Betty Puskar.”