The break-in happened just weeks after her husband of 64 years died, but the woman was spending time with her family and was not at home.

The woman's granddaughter Teal said the theft of a mobility scooter was particularly "harsh", since it took away her only way of getting around.

"The scooter she'd only had for a few weeks, and that was her only mode of transportation to get around, go and do the grocery shopping and go and see a few people."

Tuggeranong station sergeant Chris Meagher said the police would target anyone involved in this kind of "cowardly" crime that preyed on the "fragility of our senior citizens".

"ACT Policing and the community wouldn't expect us to tolerate any criminal activity against any of our vulnerable citizens, this one is particularly despicable," Sergeant Meagher said.

The woman had lived in her home on Yambina Crescent in Waramanga for 12 years and it was usually very safe, Teal said. The theft on November 23 was the first of its kind to happen to her.

"There's about four other apartments around her as well so they all look out for each other," Teal said.

"It's devastating, my grandfather died about three weeks ago so not only are we trying to get over the shock of that, we're also trying to get over the shock of someone breaking in and violating my grandmother's privacy."

She said the loss of two pieces of jewellery would weigh on her grandmother since they had been in the family for a long time and held sentimental value.

Sergeant Meagher said mobility scooters could be quite expensive, and thieves would likely find a market for it somewhere.

"They can be sold on second hand dealers or sold online ... there's a market for anything nowadays."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website.