Haddonfield Woman Who Invented Green Bean Casserole Dies

HADDONFIELD, NJ — Dorcas B. Reilly, 92, of Haddonfield, passed away on Oct. 15, but a piece of her legacy will be on dinner tables across the country this Thanksgiving.

Reilly created the Green Bean Casserole, according to Campbell’s Soup. Reilly was one of the first full-time members of Campbell’s Home Economics department, the company said in a statement on its website. When she combined green beans and Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup in 1955, the “mother of all comfort foods” was born.

“Originally called Green Bean Bake, Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole requires only a short list of ingredients (just five), doesn’t take much time to prepare (only 10 minutes) and can be customized to please many different taste preferences,” the soup company said.

In the 1980s, Reilly returned to the company after serving as a stay-at-home mom for about 20 years. During her second stint, she served as manager of the Campbell’s Kitchen for seven years. Her original recipe was donated to the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2002.

“For those who had the privilege of knowing Dorcas, we greatly admired her humble and unassuming nature,” the company said. “Dorcas would often share that the first time she made her famous recipe, it did not receive the highest rating in Campbell’s internal testing. Yet, it was her persistence and creativity that led to an enduring recipe that will live on for decades to come.”

Her full obituary, as posted on Hinski-Tomlinson Funeral Home, can be found below:

Dorcas Bates, on October 15, 2018, of Haddonfield, NJ. Age 92. Dorcas is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Thomas H. Reilly. Dorcas was the devoted mother of Dorcas R. Tarbell (Carl) and Thomas B. Reilly (Judi). Cherished grandmother of Dorcas Anne Frangos (Andrew), Christopher Tarbell (Meredith), Shane T. Reilly and Ian A. Reilly. Loving great grandmother of Penelope G. Frangos. Dorcas is also survived by nieces Evelyn Stoklosa, TeZa Lord, Kathleen Wright and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dorcas was born on July 22, 1926 to the late Dorcas Lillian Webb and Frederick Bates in Woodbury, NJ. Dorcas was predeceased by her brother Linwood Tomlinson Bates and his wife Eve. Dorcas grew up in Glassboro, NJ and Camden, NJ where she graduated from Camden High School in January of 1944. Dorcas received a BS degree in Home Economics from the Drexel Institute of Technology (Drexel University) in June 1947.

After graduating from Drexel Dorcas was employed by the Campbell’s Soup Company working in the test kitchens where she and her colleagues developed recipes using Campbell’s products.

Dorcas was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, Order of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution, and was active in numerous choral and theatric groups throughout her life.

A celebration of Dorcas’ life will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 with visitation from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM in the Sanctuary of the Haddonfield First Presbyterian Church, 20 East Kings Highway,
Haddonfield, NJ followed by a service at 11:00 AM. Immediately followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall at the Church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Haddonfield First Presbyterian Church Music Ministry, or to your favorite charity in her name.

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