Doris Schwing Simpson

Doris Schwing Simpson was born on October 25, 1926, and died on September 30, 2021, at her home at Independence Manor in Flemington, New Jersey. She had last celebrated her 94th birthday. Doris’s husband, Edward Rudolph Simpson, predeceased her when he passed away at 80 years of age in 2007. They were high school sweethearts, and were married on June 11, 1949.

Doris was great at entertaining and welcoming people. She loved to plan a menu and have a really nice table that people could sit around and enjoy. With her knack for hospitality and especially for cooking, she inspired people. In fact, all four of her kids are excellent cooks!

Doris led a Girl Scout troop, had the whole neighborhood working at Muirhead Fine Dining Restaurant, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, served on the School Board, and much more. She and Ed were congregants of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Flemington. They were active members of Ringoes Grange, and they also loved to travel to Europe when they could. She co-authored a book entitled “The Open-Hearth Cookbook: Recapturing the Flavor of Early America”. They were members of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, a gourmet eating club, where they had many delicious meals with the group. Over their lives, Doris and Ed made good friends, many of whom remained close as long as they lived.

Doris was an only child who was raised by her parents, Hazel and Harry Schwing of Irvington, NJ with help from her large extended family of many aunts and uncles. She graduated from Irvington High School where she met her future husband, Ed. Doris matriculated at the College of Saint Elizabeth (now University) in Convent Station, NJ, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics in 1948.

Using her degree, Doris taught cooking and related subjects at Public Service Gas & Electric in Newark until she had children. Later, Doris and Ed purchased a large farmhouse in Ringoes, NJ and moved from suburban living in Clark, NJ to the country. There, they turned the house into the Muirhead Fine Dining Restaurant, opened only on Friday and Saturday nights, with reservations and advance menu selections required. People raved over the whole experience, including such dishes as Beef Wellington. The restaurant was open from 1974 to 1994. They then bottled some of their sauces and treats including Pecan Pumpkin Butter, and Muirhead Foods remained in operation until 2020.

Doris is survived by 4 children: Robin Stokes (Wesley), Mark Simpson (Heather), Neil Simpson (Madeleine), Barbara Vadnais (John). She took great delight in the lives of her children, her 6 grandchildren, and her 4 great grandchildren, and their spouses and families.

As she aged, Doris retained her intellect and sharp wits, still playing bridge in her 90’s, even in the face of a challenging situation with her physical health. Even at her advanced age, Doris was good company. She will be missed.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 4, 2021, at Noon in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will follow in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Reaville, NJ. Calling hours will be held Monday, October 4, 2021, from 10:00 AM until the time of service in the funeral home.

Anyone wishing to donate in Doris’ honor may donate to Flemington Meals on Wheels in Hunterdon, Inc., 5 Walter E. Foran Boulevard, Suite 2006, Flemington, NJ, 08822 or Flemington Area Food Pantry, PO Box 783, Flemington, NJ 08822.