Linda Marie Birchfield Sauer Condon passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015, in Houston, Texas with her family by her side.
She was born on August 25, 1950 to Kenneth and Florence Elizabeth Griggs Birchfield in Hartsville, South Carolina. At a young age, she moved to Brodhead, Wisconsin with her mother, sister Shirley, and stepfather Gerald Sauer. There she met and married her high school sweetheart, Donald M. Condon, Jr.
A natural athlete, she picked up a tennis racquet for the first time in her 20s and developed a lifelong love and talent for the game along with a circle of very close friends. She loved to travel and experience new cultures, which was fortunate because Don's job took them all over the world. She was beautiful and vibrant on the outside but held a silent and special place in her heart for contemplation. Deep conversations over coffee were a favorite pastime. Her newest passion arrived when she became a "Mimi" in 2013 to granddaughter Caroline.
Friends and family knew Linda to be extremely kind, sensitive, and to always put others' needs before her own. Her main passion was her family, followed closely by her embedded instinct to help others. She helped organize the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) of Greater Houston, which has grown to more than 70 groups within the metropolitan area from only a few groups when she first joined. She served on the DBSA board for many years as secretary and played a key role in training facilitators and counselors. Over the years, Linda spent countless hours comforting and listening to troubled souls, helping in any way she could to ease their pain and educate them on mental health. Peggy Roe, Chair of DBSA Greater Houston, said "Linda shined a light in the lives of individuals struggling with mental illness and blessed them with a sense of hope. Because of her compassionate care, hope was restored and lives were saved. Her radiant presence brightened all she met."
Linda was a member at Chapelwood United Methodist Church and as a strong woman of faith, participated with great friends in extensive Bible study and fulfilling mission trips to Mexico.
Linda is carried on by her loving husband of 45 years, Don, her children Kelly, Nicole (Williamson), and TJ Condon, her son-in-law Chad Williamson, her granddaughter Caroline, her mother Betty Sauer, and siblings Sheba, Jerrie Ann, Perry, Carey, Brian, and Becky.
A memorial service will be conducted at one o'clock on Monday, January 26, 2015, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions in Linda's name be directed to the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance Greater Houston, P.O. Box 27607, Houston, TX, 77227, or online at www.dbsahouston.org/donate.
She was born on August 25, 1950 to Kenneth and Florence Elizabeth Griggs Birchfield in Hartsville, South Carolina. At a young age, she moved to Brodhead, Wisconsin with her mother, sister Shirley, and stepfather Gerald Sauer. There she met and married her high school sweetheart, Donald M. Condon, Jr.
A natural athlete, she picked up a tennis racquet for the first time in her 20s and developed a lifelong love and talent for the game along with a circle of very close friends. She loved to travel and experience new cultures, which was fortunate because Don's job took them all over the world. She was beautiful and vibrant on the outside but held a silent and special place in her heart for contemplation. Deep conversations over coffee were a favorite pastime. Her newest passion arrived when she became a "Mimi" in 2013 to granddaughter Caroline.
Friends and family knew Linda to be extremely kind, sensitive, and to always put others' needs before her own. Her main passion was her family, followed closely by her embedded instinct to help others. She helped organize the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) of Greater Houston, which has grown to more than 70 groups within the metropolitan area from only a few groups when she first joined. She served on the DBSA board for many years as secretary and played a key role in training facilitators and counselors. Over the years, Linda spent countless hours comforting and listening to troubled souls, helping in any way she could to ease their pain and educate them on mental health. Peggy Roe, Chair of DBSA Greater Houston, said "Linda shined a light in the lives of individuals struggling with mental illness and blessed them with a sense of hope. Because of her compassionate care, hope was restored and lives were saved. Her radiant presence brightened all she met."
Linda was a member at Chapelwood United Methodist Church and as a strong woman of faith, participated with great friends in extensive Bible study and fulfilling mission trips to Mexico.
Linda is carried on by her loving husband of 45 years, Don, her children Kelly, Nicole (Williamson), and TJ Condon, her son-in-law Chad Williamson, her granddaughter Caroline, her mother Betty Sauer, and siblings Sheba, Jerrie Ann, Perry, Carey, Brian, and Becky.
A memorial service will be conducted at one o'clock on Monday, January 26, 2015, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions in Linda's name be directed to the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance Greater Houston, P.O. Box 27607, Houston, TX, 77227, or online at www.dbsahouston.org/donate.