Izabella Helena Noyes

1931 - 2025

Izabella Helena Noyes
10/02/1931 - 10/25/2025
Izabella Helena Noyes passed away peacefully at her home in San Francisco on October 25, 2025, surrounded by her family. Countess Izabella Helena Mycielski was born in Warsaw, Poland, she survived the horrors of World War II, later escaping to Vienna before immigrating to the United States, where she reunited with her mother, sister, and stepfather Alfred D. Sieminski in Washington, D.C.
Soon after her arrival, she met and married James Noyes, beginning a life of adventure and service abroad and at home. The couple lived in Damascus, Syria, where Jim directed AMIDEAST programs and where their sons James and Nicholas were born. A subsequent posting with the Asia Foundation took them to more adventures in Sri Lanka, with third son, Philip in tow.
The family later lived in Washington, D.C., where Jim served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Near Eastern, African, and South Asian Affairs. During those years, Izabella devoted herself to raising her three boys while also supporting her husband with her charm and keen intellect in the whirlwind that was political and diplomatic life in Washington. After returning to San Francisco in 1976, she became co-owner of The Knittery on Union Street, a beloved community hub for knitters and needlepoint enthusiasts. She later enjoyed a successful career in real estate with Coldwell Banker and Hill & Company – a career that blended her love of place and architecture with her love of people.
In their later years, Izabella and Jim divided their time between San Francisco and their turn of the century apple farm in Occidental, California, where Izabella spent many joyful hours in her garden. Izabella was adored for her elegance, warmth, and generosity. She welcomed friends and family with memorable meals, lively conversation, and unfailing hospitality.
Izabella is survived by her sons James, Nicholas, and Philip; daughters-in-law Kate Stenberg and Lisa Noyes, her grandchildren Lily and Ryder Noyes, her sister Krystyna Andreoni and niece Izabella Hunt.