Priscilla Hays Obituary

Priscilla Hays, 63, of La Plata County Colorado passed away peacefully on January 1, 2024 after a 25 year battle with breast cancer. Her husband was holding her hand and her beloved Buddy was in her arms. She is survived by her husband Kevin O'Connor, daughter Megan Riddle, granddaughter Liberty Gage, sisters Allison Hooper of Port Orchard Washington and Jocelyn Chilvers of Wheatridge Colorado, as well as a wide circle of loving friends. Priscilla was predeceased by her parents Sherrell and Charles Hays, and Patrick Riddle, her former husband and father of her daughter Megan.

Priscilla, known to her friends as Cil, was born in Albuquerque and raised in Colorado Springs. After the death of her father when she was 16, Cil and her mother moved to Bayfield, Colorado. There she found a home and refuge, and a whole new world of friendships and experiences opened up to her for the rest of her life.

Priscilla was known by her regular customers and many summer visitors to Olde Tymer's Cafe, where she worked for over 20 years, as their favorite waitress, and people often asked to be seated in her section. While there she was a beloved mentor, friend, and sometimes mother figure to her co-workers.

A gifted artist and crafts person, Cil put herself through Fort Lewis College as an art major. Several of her teachers there became her inspirations, mentors, and friends.

Priscilla loved the people and land of the Southwest. She and her husband enjoyed many river and camping trips throughout the region. With her friends, she loved going to Gallup NM every summer for the Inter Tribal Ceremonials, where she would immerse herself in the culture and art of the Native Americans of the area.

Priscilla will always be known as a bright and loving personality who intensely loved animals, art, nature, her family, and her friends. Her fight against cancer was full of courage, humor, optimism, realism, and pragmatism, and should be an inspiration to us all. Cil's family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Southwest Oncology, who helped her live her longest and best life by providing skilled medical care with love and compassion.

A memorial celebration of her life will be held at a later date. To be informed of details of that event, please send your contact information to [email protected] or PO Box 625 Durango CO 81302. In lieu of flowers Priscilla requested that donations be made to the World Wildlife Fund or your favorite animal or cancer charity.