Margaret Colleen Spencer

Margaret Colleen Spencer

Olean-Colleen Spencer, 86, passed into eternal life on Friday, August 2, 2024 with her loving family by her side.

Colleen was born in Salamanca, on September 11, 1937, the second child of Daniel J. and Eileen B. Conlan. Treasured brothers Daniel Conlan of Frewsburg, and Martin Conlan of Salamanca, survive.

In 1958 she wed her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Jerry Spencer, in St. Patrick’s Church in Salamanca. As his career flourished, they grew their family and raised five children. They relocated numerous times living in Elmira, Gary, IN., Rochester, and Seattle, WA.  Memories of the beauty of Seattle were recreated in an identical house built in Plymouth, MI using the blueprints of the former Seattle residence. She moved her family to Olean, in 1977, widowed, and blessed with the proximity of her parents and relatives in Western New York.

She is also survived by her children Thomas, Scott, Gregory (Jean), Julie (Jorge) and Brian (Maria) and several cherished in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Those relationships were the primary focus of her adult life. She taught them lessons of beauty and love, strength and integrity, gentleness and friendship. Especially friendship as confirmed by her lifelong relationships with Chris Cooney and Carol Quattrone.

As “Grandma” to Nicolas, Jack, Julian, Brian, Tomas and Samantha she was filled with delight. She beamed with pride watching the values she instilled in her children appear in the next generation.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday (August 6, 2024) 10 a.m.at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Salamanca.

In lieu of flowers, any assistance to vulnerable populations would be a fitting tribute to Colleen’s legacy.    

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean, online condolences may be made at www.guentherfh.com.