Priscilla Spencer, 78, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, surrounded by the family she loved so deeply.
Born October 4, 1947, in Gunnison to Clint and Marie Spencer, Priscilla was the eldest of four children. Gunnison was always home to her. It was where she grew up, raised her family, built lifelong friendships, and became a familiar smiling face to generations throughout the Gunnison Valley and Crested Butte.
Priscilla was preceded in death by her parents, Clint and Marie Spencer, and grandparents, Frank and Lena Costanzo. She is survived by her sisters, Susan and husband Joe Danni and Barbara and husband Dave Sautte; brother, Clint and wife Trish Spencer; her only son, Gannon Mendez and wife Angie; and the absolute light of her life, her grandson, Viktor Mendez. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and countless others lucky enough to have known her.
Priscilla had a gift for people. She never met a stranger, and somehow, after a few minutes with her, you didn't feel like one either.
Her love of hospitality began while working at Mario's Pizzeria in Gunnison during high school. From there, she helped establish Gunnison Variety, opened Advantage Travel, and served as marketing director for Crested Butte Mountain Resort during the late 1980s. Whatever she was doing, Priscilla loved bringing people together, helping others, and sharing the beauty of the place she was so proud to call home.
She loved traveling, fishing, laughing, a good glass of wine, and especially cooking for the people she loved.
Fourteen years ago, Priscilla traded the Colorado mountains for Oklahoma City and began one more adventure with her family. Together with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, she helped build The Saucee Sicilian Food Truck, which eventually became The Saucee Sicilian Restaurant.
And, of course, she brought the meatballs.
Her grandmother's treasured meatball and sauce recipe quickly became a favorite. Customers lined up at the food truck for Priscilla's meatballs, sometimes buying them by the dozen. Years later, that family recipe helped bring Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives to The Saucee Sicilian. Seeing a recipe passed down through generations of her family celebrated on national television was a moment she treasured.
But Priscilla's greatest legacy isn't something that can be measured by businesses built, places traveled, or even meatballs served.
It's people.
It's the conversations, friendships, laughs, hugs, meals shared, trips planned, and people who walked away from an encounter with Priscilla feeling a little happier than they did before.
She had an extraordinary ability to make people feel welcome and important. If you needed help, you only had to ask. If Priscilla couldn't do it herself, chances were she knew somebody who could.
That's simply who she was.
A celebration of Priscilla's life will be held May 22, 2027, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gunnison. It will be a homecoming of sorts—a chance for family and friends to gather in the community she loved so much, tell stories, laugh, remember, and celebrate a remarkable woman and a life very well lived.
Priscilla leaves behind something far greater than anything she could have built or owned: a lifetime of people who are better for having known her.
Her smile will be remembered. Her stories will continue to be told. Her recipes will continue to be made. And whenever family and friends gather around a table, share a meal, laugh a little too loudly, and raise a glass, a little bit of Priscilla will still be there.
