Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Katherine Condon

Obituaries

Katherine Condon

Lifelong Los Gatan Katherine Green Condon died Oct. 7 at the age of 84, following surgery for a broken hip.

Condon was born Feb. 7, 1912. Her father, George Green, was the first mayor of the town after its 1924 incorporation. Often called by her childhood nickname of "Kappy," Condon attended University Avenue School and Los Gatos High School. She often played piano for the Los Gatos Presbyterian Church.

Following a bachelor's degree in piano from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, she did graduate work at San Jose State University. After her 1938 marriage to Los Gatos native Ralph Condon, she lived briefly in New York before returning to the Condon family property on Black Road, where she lived until her death.

She served on the San Jose Symphony Board of Directors in the 1950s, and gave private piano lessons from 1952 to 1985. In 1965, she joined her husband and his brother in starting Raccoon Gulch Christmas Tree Farm on Black Road. Following her husband's 1975 death, Condon became active in the Soiree Musicale, often performing chamber music with the group. She was also involved with the Wananalua Congregational Church in Hana, Maui, when she made her twice-yearly visits to her property in Hawaii.

Condon was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and the Sigma Alpha Iota music sorority.

She suffered from Alzheimer's disease but lived independently until her death. In her last years, she enjoyed visits to the Alzheimer's Activity Center.

Survivors include son Rory Condon of Susanville; daughter and son-in-law Karen and Jeff Fishback of Los Gatos; grandchildren Timothy and Jeanne Fishback of Los Gatos; brother Elton Green of Los Gatos; two nieces and three nephews.

Family and friends will gather Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. on the Condon family property.