Carol E Kornfeld
July 20, 1926-March 15, 2026
Cupertino, California

Carol Engle Kornfeld Passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 15, 2026, in Cupertino, CA. Formerly of Tenafly, NJ, she was predeceased by her adoring husband of 55 years, Peter Kornfeld, MD (Vienna, Austria), and sister, Judith Engle Siegel (South Orange, NJ). She is survived by her children, Robert Kornfeld (Maureen Pace), and Jane Kornfeld Bessin, and grandchildren, Julie Bessin, David Bessin, Jason Kornfeld (Fallon Cox), and Jack Kornfeld.

Born July 20, 1926, in Newark NJ, to Ida and Louis Engle, she graduated from Penn State (BS Chemistry) and Columbia (MS Chemistry and MS Library Science).

Carol’s professional career included working as a research associate in biochemistry at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, a lecturer in organic chemistry at Barnard College, a chemical librarian at Thomas J. Lipton and then a consultant in the food science industry.

After the birth of their first grandchild, Peter and Carol (and her parents) moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, settling in Portola Valley Ranch where they were active community members for thirty years. Among many other charitable undertakings, Carol volunteered at Stanford University’s Cantor Art Center and Lane Medical Library.

Thoroughly devoted to her family, Carol enjoyed science, art history, piano, gardening, and international travel, while routinely polishing off The New York Times crossword puzzle. She was an avid quilter as well as an accomplished sportswoman in a range of sports, from skiing, hiking, and biking, to tennis and swimming. Carol nurtured enduring friendships – new and decades long -- and she delivered joy and a ready smile to all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol’s memory may be made to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (hias.org) or the Bay Area’s Jewish Family & Children’s Services (jfcs.org). May her memory be for a blessing.