By Bruce Barton

Carole Brainerd talks about her mother Doris “Dot” Elizabeth Condon at a Saturday memorial service. Photo by Ted Simon.

The Los Altos chapel of Spangler Mortuaries was packed with family and friends Saturday, all gathered to pay tribute to a woman whose full life was cut short by a shocking, violent act.

Doris “Dot” Elizabeth Condon was described as a bright, independent woman who loved traveling, eating out, gardening, sewing and being with loved ones. Mrs. Condon died Nov. 28 from injuries suffered after being beaten by two men Oct. 25 at her home on Jardin Drive in Mountain View.

“Doris was 77. Today, that is a young person,” said the Rev. Richard Bowman, who officiated the ceremony. “Many of us feel very robbed, angry and full of sorrow.”

Mrs. Condon, born in Bangor, Maine, had a “carefree, privileged childhood,” said her daughter, Carol Brainerd. Mrs.Condon graduated from from the University of Maine before marrying William Condon in 1948.

The Condons moved to California in 1955. She had three children, and worked as a technical editor at Ford Aerospace for 16 years. William Condon died in a kayaking accident in 1972. She spent the rest of her life with housemate and companion Des Telmond.

Chapel guests were greeted with picture collages of Doris with Des and other family members, along with displays of her legendary sticky notes of obscure facts that she wanted to remember. Also clipped for display were lists of restaurants where she had eaten along with comments about the experience.

Bowman described Condon as “somewhat of a tomboy” in her young days, scampering up trees and developing into the highly independent woman who “persevered in the goals and aspirations she was moving towards.”

Condon was not sentimental and did not often speak about love, but she showed her love in other ways. “She spoke the truth in love,” Bowman said.

“Maybe Doris didn’t show me affection - but no doubt, she loved me,” said one Ford Aerospace co-worker.

Brainerd offered one brief moment of levity when she described how Condon, who was holding her cigarette backwards, caught her own hair on fire.

“We had such a good time,” said a longtime friend and neighbor. “I don’t know how I’m going to get along without her, but I’ll have to try.”

Condon is survived by Telmond, brother Howard Merill, daughter Brainerd, sons Chris and John, and four grandchildren.