Audrey Vliet Simpson passed away at her home in Solebury on Nov. 12 surrounded by family.
She was born on Aug. 26, 1930 to Edgar and Myrtle Rumple, the second of five children. She grew up in Rahway and Westfield, N.J., and spent most of her adult life in Morris County. Audrey married Allan Willard Vliet in 1950 and together they raised five children: Douglas Vliet, Willard Vliet, Diane Vliet Downs, Allison Ferrari-Fontana and David Vliet. Audrey is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, James Simpson, four children, eight grandchildren: Jessica Vliet, Nickie Vliet, Laura Downs, Megan Vliet, Emily Meera Downs, Sebastian Downs, Sonia Ferrari- Fontana, Katherine Newton, and her great-granddaughter, Raeya Witte.
Audrey’s life reflected her strong belief in social justice, equality, and environmental stewardship, all of which were informed by her faith. She was active in the Fair Housing Council of Morris County and the Morristown Adoption Support Group, and she volunteered at Matheny School in Peapack, N.J., as well as numerous organizations supporting peace and civil rights. Audrey was a foster parent to 15 babies for Children’s Aid and Adoption Society. After adopting her youngest son, she founded Families for Interracial Adoption (FIA) to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families for biracial children. She was an active member in the Westfield Presbyterian Church, the New Vernon Presbyterian Church, and the Parsippany Baptist Church, and for many years added her beautiful soprano voice to the church choir and the Morris Choral Society. She operated a quality cleaning and senior help service for more than 50 years. Audrey was a lifelong advocate for reducing waste, reusing, and recycling.
A memorial service will be held on Jan. 7, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 6587 Upper York Road, Solebury, Pa., followed by a reception in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: FCA - Funeral Consumers Alliance, 33 Patchen Road, S. Burlington, VT. 05403.
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