Contributions to the tribute of Duncan C. MacCourt, JD, MD

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In Memory of

Duncan C. MacCourt, JD, MD

1957 - 2025

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Friday

September

Visitation

4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Friday, September 12, 2025

Arthur P. Graham Funeral Home

3 Arlington Road

Woburn, Massachusetts, United States

781-933-1324

Get Directions

Saturday

September

Memorial Service

11:00 am

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Burlington Presbyterian Church

335 Cambridge St.

Burlington, Massachusetts, United States

Get Directions

Lael Chester posted a condolence

Monday, December 8, 2025

Dear Virginia and Ian, I just learned of Duncan’s passing and wanted to send my deep condolences. I had the great fortune of meeting Duncan in law school, and we became study partners and, even better, friends. Virginia, I remember your lovely wedding and had the great pleasure of sharing in your joyful union and, later, meeting Ian and hearing over the years about the family he loved so dearly. I loved talking to Duncan; I always learned so much from him about life. I wish his life had not been tragically cut short – it doesn’t seem fair to him or to both of you – but I know that he had a full life with a wonderful, loving family and a fascinating and super impactful career. I will be forever grateful that I got a chance to spend time with him. Fondly, Lael Chester

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Nassir Ghaemi posted a condolence

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

I would like to add my condolences to Duncan's family. I had the privilege of being a young assistant professor at Cambridge Hospital in the early 2000s when Duncan arrived for his residency. We remained in contact by email over the years, but sadly not in person. He kept our connection going over the years, always supportive and clinically wise; always intelligent and keen in his thoughts. I will miss him, and am thankful I knew him. Nassir Ghaemi MD

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Edward Corboy, Jr., M.D. posted a condolence

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Dear Virginia and Ian, Today's church service celebrating Duncan's remarkable life and your wonderful family adventure with Duncan was so very beautiful and touching. Ducan was all things good, kind, decent, thoughtful and far more. He lit up the world while he was here. Heaven is now a better place. I have never had a better friend and going back to 1982 when he first called me to help him with his back, and he then came to Chicago, we had an instant friendship that lasted for 43 years. I was able to suggest Ducan see Dr. John E. Toerge. Dr. Toerge and the late Dr. John McM. Mennell both worked miracles for Ducan and his spine issues that would have sunk many. It was Duncan who did all the hard work: the PT, the exercises, pool PT & swimming, tied to mental toughness that made his comeback beyond remarkable. I chipped in as I could to be a friend, advisor and patient advocate. There are countless number of people who Ducan helped. I know there are countess happy family memories that you both share. Duncan met one of the great tests of a well lived life: He left this world are far better place than he found it. His goodness and good deeds will continue to reverberate in the hearts, souls and the lives of many. His goodness of heart will always have a positive impact on the world. It will never stop making the world a better place. I hope each day going forward will be ones of healing and that the happy memories you both shared with Ducan will help ease the pain of his all too sudden and all too early passage to Heaven. I will keep you both in my prayers every day and every night. Ed Corboy, Jr., M.D.

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joseph boone posted a condolence

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Dear Virginia, You don't know me but I was one of Duncan's professors (in English) back at Harvard. I just came across this and am so saddened to learn of Duncan's death. I'd been going through old emails, and found one he wrote me in 2021 or so, to which I'd typed out an answer which somehow never got sent--that makes me sad. I hit the "send" button this morning and then decided to recheck his profile, only to find the obituary notices. For what it's worth, here are some excerpts from the "catch-up" email he sent me (during covid): "I always thought studying English literature was such a privilege and such fun, I would constantly tell myself how amazed I was that I was getting academic credit to read all these wonderful great novels and poems. Suffice it to say, you and Deborah [Nord] were my favorite teachers. [After graduating] I found Harvard Law to be a total shock and left after 4 weeks. I went to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania and once again I found myself a little bit of a fish out of water. But because I was focused on learning and becoming a psychiatrist, I was able to get through, and then for residency came back to Cambridge. I used to walk by the building where you had your office there quite a bit and would think of you often. I do have Tradition/Counter Tradition still, and actually have gone back to it over the years, reading parts of it. As I think you might remember, although I started [my senior thesis on] Paradise Lost, trying to do post structural/Foucault reading of it. But it was coming along too slowly and not much fun, and so I ended up writing on Jane Eyre (the novel some wise person once wrote was “the best and brightest” of the post Austen marriage plot)." All the best to you and your loved ones-- Joseph Boone Professor Emeritus in English University of Southern California josephbo@usc.edu

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Elaine C posted a condolence

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Dearest Virginia and family, Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband. I was so deeply saddened to hear of such a grave and unexpected loss. Please know you, your son, and entire family are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. I have never had the pleasure of meeting your husband but this most beautiful obituary of him reflects what an incredibly special person he was. Love, Elaine C

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Sam Evans posted a condolence

Thursday, August 21, 2025

I and a number of my colleagues here at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro were extremely saddened to hear this news. Duncan was a truly outstanding colleague, a strong clinician, and also an excellent human being. He made the hard work of caring for extremely ill and complex patients much more civilized and effective. He was always available for assistance with our intensive care unit patients. In and around sorting out the tricky interplay between psychiatric and “medical” illness, we shared musings about Scotland, sorting out issues for elderly parents and he shared wonderful esoteric phrases; busman’s holiday was a new one for me. This is a tremendous loss for us, so I can’t imagine what it is for his immediate family and community. We extend our deepest condolence, sympathies, and wishes for peace and healing. Duncan will be missed, but more importantly extremely well and fondly remembered. Sam Evans

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Pamela Haros posted a condolence

Monday, August 18, 2025

Dear Virginia, Ian and the extended family of departed Duncan MacCourt, sending my deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved husband, father and brother. I went through elementary, junior high school and high school with Duncan. While I did not know him well, I always admired his exceptional intelligence and kindness. He carried a quiet confidence, maturity, and humility as though he knew he would achieve great things in his life. He certainly did; what a fine man. His accomplishments and service to others are certainly a wonderful legacy. I’m sincerely sorry for Duncan’s untimely passing. Sending prayers for comfort, healing, strength and peace to his loved ones. May your beautiful memories ease the pain of your loss, and may God bless Duncan in eternal peace. Pamela Meyer Haros. San Marino High School 1975

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Jena Carey McGuire posted a condolence

Monday, August 18, 2025

Dear Virginia I cannot express how sorry I am for you,Ian and your extended family. The few times I spoke with Duncan were of great importance to me. He was so willing to help me even though he really did not know me, personally. You both spent time in nature. Remember your bird watching walks on Barn Island. Those are memories you will always have to treasure. Please feel free to reach out to me through Julie. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Deepest condolences, Jena Carey McGuire

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Glenn Reed lit a candle

Sunday, August 17, 2025

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Our hearts are heavy with the news of your loss. We know what a special person Duncan was and that he made a positive impact on so many people in his lifetime. Our thoughts and love are with Virginia and Ian as well as all whose lives were touched by him and who will continue to carry his wonderful spirit forward in this world.--Glenn & Matt

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Linda Robert lit a candle

Saturday, August 16, 2025

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Virginia and Ian, I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with Duncan on the Court Evaluation Unit at Worcester State Hospital. We were all very sad when he left our unit. He was highly regarded by those of us who worked with him and by the clients that we served. May he rest in peace

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Vernell Lewandowski lit a candle

Saturday, August 16, 2025

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Bill Lewis posted a condolence

Friday, August 15, 2025

Virgina and family, Duncan was a high school classmate. He had a subversive, very dry sense of humor derived from his incredibly sharp intelligence. Duncan, John MacLeod, Fred Cordova and I toured eastern colleges together in the spring of 1975. The four of us and Mark Woodruff are the members of San Marino High School Class of 75 who went to Harvard. Duncan did so ten years after the rest of us. He more than made up for lost time. On that college trip, Duncan sat in on my conversation with the Princeton football coach. That coach told me I'd be an all Ivy League player by my junior year. After we left the meeting, Duncan turned to me and said "You know he's full of xxit, right?" Duncan was correct. Duncan, Mark and I were part of a high school newspaper staff together. That hour of the day was full of sharp, witty observations of high school life. My condolences to you all. I will miss catching up with Duncan at our 50th high school reunion. Bill Lewis SMHS '75, Harvard College '79

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Cathy Studley posted a condolence

Friday, August 15, 2025

Virginia and family, I am so very sorry to hear about your dear husband’s sudden passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and I pray for strength and comfort in the love of those around you. My deepest condolences. With love, Cathy, Gingerella, Studley.

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Diana Krupa lit a candle

Friday, August 15, 2025

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I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I have only heard the most amazing things about Duncan from Angela. He was a light to so very many and he will be missed so very much. May he rest in eternal peace. Love, Diana Krupa

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Judith Nist lit a candle

Friday, August 15, 2025

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Virginia and Ian, Heartfelt sympathy to you both and your families for the tragic loss of such a kind, dear loving husband and father. There are too many memories…texts about parking the car at “9”, cribbage on our beach, swims w/ Gene in the pond, lending a helping hand just to mention a few…the Sinanis/ Nist family will miss him dearly. Love and prayers, Judy and Bob Nist

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Efrat Shavit lit a candle

Thursday, August 14, 2025

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Duncan was one of the kindest, funniest, and most generous people that I’ve had the privilege to work with and call a friend. His resilience was an inspiration to me. His quick and mischievous wit brightened up many a stormy day, and our walks in the woods lifted my spirits during the darkest of times. Virginia and Ian - my heart goes out to you. His love for you was so strong and beautiful. I will miss him tremendously.

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Diana lit a candle

Thursday, August 14, 2025

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