Allegan, MI, died Thursday, May 26, 2005 at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo. Mrs. Stamper was born March 18, 1942 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of James and Dorothy (Stemwedel) Helphrey. She was a registered nurse for more than 29 years and was last employed at the Laurels of Sandy Creek Nursing Home in Wayland. She worked many years in nursing homes, providing loving care for her patients, and spoke of her effort to help others who must leave this life with a kind word, and the knowledge that they are not alone. Dee was well known for her many passions. She was a doting grandmother to her numerous grandchildren, that range in age from 1 to 25 years old. She took great love and attention to her beautiful garden and fishpond. But her great love of genealogy, and the search and discovery of her family history, was by far her most rewarding accomplishment. Through several years of dedicated research, and countless hours of compilation, she traced her family roots to the time before the Revolutionary War. She brought together hundreds of Helphrey family members from all over this country, who might have never known of each other. Along with the help and encouragement of her daughter, Sheri, she wrote a book, "The Helphrey Story", and that will be her legacy. Surviving are 4 daughters, Vicki and Ronald New of Paw Paw, Sheri and Robert Majure of Gobles, Lisa Noble of Allegan, and Michelle and Jeff Mier of Holland; 12 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter; 1 brother, Dale and Pamela Helphrey of Topsham, ME. She was preceded in death by her parents and infant son, Michael Szekely, Jr. Friends may meet with the family from 3 - 5 p.m. Sunday at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, where a closing sharing of memories will be held at 4:45 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Laurels of Sandy Creek.