Often referred to as the “First Lady of Morgantown, Puskar was unquestionably West Virginia’s poster figure for the war on cancer. She was born in a rural area outside Covington, Virginia, the third of eight brothers and sisters. She completed Covington Business College and soon after met Mike Puskar, who she married. She tirelessly supported her former husband’s efforts to create an independent drug company which ultimately gave rise to the generic pharmaceutical industry. This led to the founding of the company known as Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Puskar served on the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center Board of Advisors and was a charter member of the WVU Foundation’s Woodburn Circle Society. She founded the Betty Puskar Futures LPGA Golf Tournament that was held for 17 years at the Pines Country Club and its related fashion show, a much-anticipated community event which ran for 15 years – and which served as inspiration for what would become the Cancer Institute’s annual Pink Party benefit. She frequently made herself available to speak, counsel and give encouragement to those suffering from cancer, especially terminal patients. Puskar is also the proud grandmother of Kyle, who attended WVU’s College of Business and Economics.