Noela Mary Jeffrey

Noela “Noel” Mary Jeffrey passed away peacefully in Austin, Texas, on January 9, 2026, at the age of 84.

Born Noela Mary Slapikas on December 11, 1941, in Reading, Pennsylvania to John and Mary Slapikas, she grew up with a love of reading and writing that would shape the course of her life and career.

Noel attended Seton Hill College, where she majored in English and developed her lifelong passion for writing and editing. In the early 1970s, she moved to California with her husband, Alexander M. “Sandy” Jeffrey, and their young son Alex born in January 1969 after Sandy was relocated to Los Angeles to help open new offices for The Atlantic Richfield Company. Their second son, Doug, was born in Arcadia, California, in 1973. The family later settled in Pasadena, where Alex and Doug grew up.

While raising her family, Noel returned to her love of writing and editing by working on a local school newsletter while also working as a real estate agent to support her family. This experience led to a successful and fulfilling career in the printing industry, where she served as an editor for several trade magazines and newsletters. She became a respected voice in the field, attending major printing industry conferences as part of the press corps and authoring a book titled Digital Printing. Noel remained active in the industry until her retirement.

In addition to her career, Noel dedicated time to The Pasadena Junior Philharmonic Committee and the Pasadena Show Case House of Design, the San Marino League, and the Pasadena Art Center College of Design. She and Sandy enjoyed their memberships with the Pasadena and Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestras.

In 2022, Noel moved to Austin, Texas, where she enjoyed spending time with her son Doug, her daughter-in-law Jaya, and her grandson Vihaan. She embraced the Austin community and dedicated time to one of her favorite hobbies—bridge—playing party bridge, duplicate bridge, and maintaining online games with friends in California and Face-timing with her son Alex her daughter-in-law Kim and her grandsons AJ and Gavin in New York.

Noel had many interests that brought joy to her life and those around her. She loved needlepoint, creating beautiful pillows and ornaments for family and friends. While living in California, she was an avid gardener and cultivated an impressive collection of roses that kept her happily busy year-round. She also loved to travel with family and friends, with Newport Beach holding a special place in her heart—especially summer visits to enjoy meals at the Crab Cooker.

In her younger years, Noel enjoyed playing tennis and was a devoted and enthusiastic supporter of her sons’ activities. Whether cheering from the stands at Little League games with Sandy and friends, or attending AYSO soccer matches, she rarely missed a game. She also loved cooking and creating welcoming gatherings for family and friends.

Noel was preceded by her husband, Alexander M. “Sandy” Jeffrey, who passed away in February, 2020. She is survived by her sons, Alex and Doug; her grandsons, AJ, Gavin, and Vihaan; and her cousins Phil Miller, George Sproesser, and Margaret Flocco. She is also remembered fondly by extended family and many friends whose lives she touched with her warmth, intelligence, and wit.

Noel will be remembered for her love of family, her sharp editorial eye, her curiosity about the world, and the quiet joy she found in the written word, a well-tended garden, and a good game of bridge.

A private ceremony was held to celebrate Noel’s life. Please share your condolences, fond memories and stories about Noel with the family online.