Doris Jean Simon

Doris J. Simon of Clinton Township passed away peacefully on August 29, 2023 at the age of 85. Doris, affectionately called Dor-Dor by her loving husband and Nonie by her adoring grandchildren, is preceded in death by her siblings and mother (Dessie Mae Cornwell (Tucker), father (Dee Cornwell), and stepfather (Edmund Hall).

Her adoring husband, Philip A. Simon, preceded her in death on June 6, 2013. Phil and Doris met as teens on the east side of Detroit when Phil was visiting friends on Bewick Street. Married in 1962, Phil and Doris settled into a flat on Congress Street. Doris worked in a brokerage house in the Penobscot Building while Phil worked alongside his father in their burgeoning auto parts business, Richard’s Auto Centers.

They welcomed daughters Cheryl and Nancy in 1963 and 1964 (just 10-months and 21-days apart)! The daughters were followed by sons, Richard and Gregory in 1967 and 1971 and baby Philip in 1980.

Doris then put her finance experience to work as Vice-President and CFO for Richard’s. Along with Phil’s brother Ronald and father Richard, they grew the business to locations across Detroit. The business eventually included a store in Warren, People’s Auto Parts on Gratiot, and son Richard established his own store in New Baltimore.

Over 55-years of marriage, they raised their children in the Catholic faith and were active members of St. Joan of Arc parish for more than 40-years. They proudly chaired the St. Joan of Arc fair and Vegas Room for many years. All four children graduated from the parish school and Regina and Notre Dame High Schools respectively.

Doris and Phil loved their family and never stopped being proud and excited about their grandchildren. Cheryl has two children – Theo and Khairi. Richard (Debbie) has four children – Chloe, Tristan (Anna), Madeline, and Mia. Nancy (Raymond) has two children - Randy (Lila) and Robbie and one grandchild (Genevieve, daughter of Randy and Lila). Gregory (Lacey) has two children - Khalila and Keegan.

Doris was the center of it all for Phil. He doted on her at every opportunity. The two bowled, golfed, played cards, traveled extensively, and frequented Las Vegas both annually and on many New Year’s Eves. Doris and Phil also made charitable giving and service a fundamental part of their life together. They dressed as clowns with the Alhambra, played Mr. and Mrs. Claus for years for the family’s churches, and gave generously (and privately) to charities working with children, special needs adults, and the poor. Their marriage is a model for all who know them.

Visitation:

Tuesday, September 5, 4-9pm

AH Peters Funeral Home

20705 Mack Ave Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Funeral Mass:

Wednesday, September 6, 10am

Instate at 9:30am

St. Joan of Arc Church 22412

Overlake St Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080

In lieu of flowers, please make charitable gifts to:

Capuchin Soup Kitchen

1820 Mount Elliott Street Detroit, MI 48207 https://www.cskdetroit.org/ways_to_give/monetary_gifts/

Building Bridges Scholarship P.O. Box 350, Birmingham, MI 48012 https://buildingbridgesdetroit.org