Carolyn Green Westgaard
April 6, 1968-Jan. 31, 2026
Palo Alto, California

Carolyn Green Westgaard passed away tragically on Saturday, January 31 after being struck by a car while walking in her neighborhood the day before. She was a beloved sister, wife, mother of two daughters, colleague, and caring friend to many.

Carolyn was born at Stanford Hospital on April 6th 1968 to Barbara Land Green and Kenneth Allen Green and grew up in Sunnyvale, graduating from Homestead High School. She attended U.C. Santa Barbara where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and subsequently furthered her education at San Francisco State University, earning a Masters of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology in 1992.

In 1986, while in her freshman year at UCSB, Carolyn met her future husband, Courtenay Westgaard, marrying in 1994 at Stanford Memorial Church. Settling in Palo Alto, they welcomed their daughters, Alexandra in 1999 and Quinn in 2001. Carolyn loved her children more than anything and championed all that they have done.

Carolyn brought her background in psychology to a career in human resources, wearing many different hats, from startups to Sun Microsystems, ultimately retiring in March of 2025 after 22 years at SRI International. It was the friendships she created while working that she valued the most.

In her free time, she found joy in gardening, baking, travel, reconnecting with old friends and spending time at her beloved family cabin at Fallen Leaf Lake.

To her friends and family she was a caring and confident problem solver, always eager to help and never expecting anything in return. She had a way with words and an abundance of patience with others. She brightened every room with a smile on her face and the sound of her laugh.

Committed to family and community, she dedicated many years serving on her children’s Girl Scouts leadership groups and spent time volunteering for the local animal shelter. She was also deeply passionate about the outdoors and environmental sustainability, practicing water conservation and reducing waste in her home.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Courtenay Westgaard, her daughters, Alexandra Westgaard-Daly (Jack) of Walnut Creek and Quinn Westgaard (Zach Upton) of San Diego, her sister Sarah Green of Truckee, and brother Bill Green of Huntington Beach.

Carolyn was a lifelong organ donor and in her passing she was able to save the lives of three individuals. To honor her, please consider organ and blood donation if you are eligible.

There will be a private celebration of life in Palo Alto.