The Brooks Patterson Community Leadership Award is presented annually by the Cattaraugus County Planning Board to one or more community leaders who exemplify the outstanding spirit and example that Torrance Brooks and Donald Patterson set during their lifetime of dedicated service to their respective communities, County Legislature, County Planning Board, and regional agencies.
The recipients of these annual awards are chosen to give countywide recognition to leaders and volunteers who make lasting contributions to the people and communities of Cattaraugus County and its region.
The Cattaraugus County Planning Board’s theme for these awards is “People Are Our Greatest Resource”. In this spirit, we are pleased to present the 2023 Brooks Patterson Community Leadership Award to: Margaret Puszcz for Outstanding Leadership In Community Involvement and Economic Development In Cattaraugus County
Congratulations Margaret!
Margaret had 30 years of service to the Cattaraugus County Planning Board and the Department of Economic Development. She started working for Cattaraugus County in February 1971 as a Stenographer in the Civil Service Office. She opted to be a stay-at-home Mom in 1976. She returned to the County as a part time Typist in the County Auditor's office in 1977. She took a full time position as Stenographer to the Assistant Superintendent of BOCES in 1979. In February 1982 she returned to the County as a full time Stenographer in the County Planning Office. She retired in 2011 from full time to part time and completely retired in 2013 with a total of 39.5 years of service.
Margaret was a member of the Professional Secretaries International Enchanted Mountains Chapter from 1982 to 1992. She was named Secretary of the Year in 1987 and held the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee. Margaret was a member and Treasurer of the Eddyville Community Church. She was then a member and Treasurer of the Cattaraugus First Wesleyan Church. She is currently a member and Trustee of the Little Valley Bridge of Hope Church (formerly the Little Valley United Methodist) since 2010
Margaret was raised on the Sunset View Dairy Farm in the Town of Mansfield where she currently lives and owns. She graduated from Ellicottville Central School with a Regents Diploma with special endorsement in Business and from the Olean Business Institute with honor in the Secretarial Field.
Margaret and her husband James were partners in the very well-known Push's Cider Mill in Great Valley. They were married for 43 years up to his passing in 2014. They have one daughter Anne (James) Conner and two grandchildren Haylee and Lucas Adams.
Margaret stated that she is both humbled and honored to be a recipient of this award as she had known and worked with both of these outstanding community leaders.