Obituary of Helen Joan Stampfli

Helen Joan Daniels Stampfli Helen Stampfli passed away on July 27, 2011 in Lacey, Washington due to complications related to a stroke she had five years ago. Helen was born in Albuquerque, NM on May 30, 1933 to Iola Virginia and Lewis Thomas Daniels. Helen was the oldest of four children. She graduated from Napa High School in Napa, California and married Joseph W. (Wurb) Stampfli on October 10, 1953 in Napa. She was the mother of Tim and Linda, and being a homemaker was Helen’s life. She was a wonderful cook, an excellent seamstress and a painter. Helen enjoyed a few jobs throughout her life, working for Dr. David Suttee and Givinonni Market, as well as at Vintage 1870 and at Piner’s Nursing Home. Helen was active at Calvary Baptist Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, singing in the Choir, leading youth programs and working in the nursery. Helen directed summer camps at Camp Cazadero in Cazadero, CA. Later she directed a summer Day Camp at Camp Wo-Kon-Da, which was associated with Redwood Baptist Church. Helen and her husband participated in many mission trips associated with the Southern Baptist Missions, taking her to such places as American Samoa, Fiji and Hawaii. Helen was very civic minded. She was an active leader in the Red Cross, teaching classes and assisting with disaster relief. She always worked at the polls, and even hand counted votes with other workers in her home. She followed politics avidly. Helen loved art and painted using every medium. She enjoyed art classes from the Napa Valley College and even participated in a three-month trip to Europe to study art abroad. Helen loved her children and grandchildren immensely. She loved occasions and celebrations and put on frequent parties for the neighborhood children. She told jokes, laughed a lot and sang little songs. The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Piner’s Nursing Home who provided excellent care to Helen during her four-year stay. Helen is survived by her mother-in-law, Fern Stampfli (Greenville, CA); sisters, Minnie Poteet (Marysville, CA) and Rosella Blackwood (Paul’s Valley, OK); brother, Lewis Daniels (Penrose, CO); daughter, Linda Stampfli Torrance (Arlington, VA); son, Tim (Tammy) Stampfli (Olympia, WA); grandchildren, Nicholas (Maryann) Stampfli (District of Columbia); Megan Stampfli (Javier Womeldorff) (Renton, WA), Mark Torrance (Tehachapi, CA); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Her beloved husband, Wurb, preceded her in death. A celebration of Helen’s life will be at the First Presbyterian Church of Napa, 1333 Third Street, on September 2, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Red Cross of Napa Valley, 1790 Third Street, Napa, CA, or the charity of your choice. Please leave memories of Helen or condolences for the family by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.