Dorothy Brand Comstock
June 22, 1931-Feb. 12, 2022
Saratoga, California
Submitted by Richard C. Brand

Dorothy Brand Comstock passed away quietly February 12 after a brief illness. Born near Lansing, MI. she was a long time resident of Palo Alto and then Portola Valley Ranch, Ca. After graduation and marriage she and her late husband Kirke W. Comstock moved to California in 1953 and raised a family there.

She is survived by her son William Comstock (Debra Nichols) of Carmel, CA. her daughters Karen Comstock of New Haven, CT and Kristin Pugh (Mark) of Saratoga, CA, her brother Richard C. Brand (Carol Malcolm) of Santa Rosa, CA and her granddaughter Katherine Comstock of Oakland, CA. Her late husband Kirke Comstock pre-deceased her as did her grandson Jaime Comstock.

After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1953 she and her husband Kirke Comstock moved to the Peninsula and then to Palo Alto where she worked for the Palo Alto school system. Dorothy, or Dottie as she was known to her family and friends, and Kirke lived in Palo Alto for over 40 years. She was active in the community along with supporting Kirke who for 14 years served as a Palo Alto Councilman including as the city’s Mayor.

Dottie and Kirke loved the outdoors, had a large circle of friends and were active in Bay Area land conservation efforts, folk dancing and hiking. In Palo Alto they often provided a room for foreign exchange students and would then travel around the world and include visits with their former boarders.

After her husband Kirke retired they moved to Portola Valley Ranch where Dottie enjoyed working with the Ranch Wine Club. Kirke remained active in politics and Dottie continued her involvement with academia work at Stanford University along with volunteering stints with other various institutions and organizations. When Kirke’s health required a higher level of care they moved to Saratoga Retirement Community where they lived for the rest of their lives.

A proud wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt to many, Dottie was the life of the party and remembered as an engaging, intelligent community member with many friends. As a family member put it, Dottie was one of a kind.

Tags: teacher/educator, public service