Isabella was born in Poland, daughter of a schoolteacher, and came to the USA by way of the concentration camps. She eventually settled with her mother, sister, and brother in Chicago. After graduating from Tuley High School and University of Illinois, she met and married Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who would go on to become a notable professor and author at the University of Chicago. They settled on Hyde Park Boulevard, where they would live for 29 years. She worked as an editor at Encyclopedia Britannica, Jenner & Block, and for academic journals. Isabella was co-credited on several of Mihaly's works, but uncredited on countless more: for decades her command of English grammar and eagle eyes buttressed Mihaly's writing, while her management of the house and delicious cooking would make her family’s careers possible. She was a tireless supporter of her two children, Mark and Chris; a philanthropist to progressive politics and environmentalism; and loved flowers until her final day. She is survived by her sister Kristine, niece Cybele, nephew Karl, her sons, and six grandchildren.