Betty

Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

I am moved and saddened by the loss of a most wonderful and amazing woman - Betty Puskar.

Betty is and was just Betty. An original. Full of grace. A woman with a mission. To help others. To love others. To help others heal.

Betty was a leader and a role model. Betty changed lives for the better. In fact, it was impossible to meet Betty and not feel uplifted.

She left this earth a gentle soul and generational leader for WVU, West Virginia and our citizens.

She had her own health challenges, but she used these as opportunities for growth and for helping others. As a breast cancer survivor, she was a resource for many women with this disease. But in a larger way, Betty was a resource for every woman and for every person she met.

A leader for women with breast cancer. A leader for people in need.

She created the Betty Puskar Breast Center, a place that serves women with the most sophisticated equipment and the most empathic care.

Like few others I have met, Betty found her calling in life.

Family. Friends. Causes - cancer and children were among these. People in need.

She never forgot where she came from or who she was. Authentic and authentically caring about others. I hear almost constantly of people that Betty loved and helped.

I feel lucky to know this original. She inspired all of us in life and now leaves a powerful legacy for us to follow.

Love others like your family.

Help anyone in need.

Approach every situation and every person with love and kindness - the world needs more of this.

Stay true to yourself - never forget who you are. Each of us is beautiful in our authenticity.

Mother Teresa said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

She also said, “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

Betty, you have created ripples of love that will carry on in those of us you have touched and shared your light.

We thank you.

We cherish our time with you.

We commit to carrying forward your work so that we can share our light with those that will follow.

Rest peacefully until we meet again.