Obituary of Duncan C. MacCourt, JD, MD

Duncan C. MacCourt, JD, MD of Woburn, MA, 67, died suddenly on Thursday, August 7, 2025 after a tragic accident in his home.

He was the son of the late Hortense Elizabeth McNaughton MacCourt and the late Heman Clark MacCourt. Duncan was born in Denver, Colorado on September 19, 1957 and grew up in Southern California. He graduated from San Marino High School in 1975 and from Harvard College with a degree in English in 1989. He pursued his professional education at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1994. Later he had the honor of serving as a clerk in the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Bangor, Maine with the late Judge Conrad Cyr.  Inspired by the career of his late law school professor, psychiatrist Dr. Alan Stone, he earned a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 2001.

Duncan ultimately became a distinguished psychiatrist, attorney, and leader at McLean Hospital, a psychiatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. As medical director of the Partial Hospital Program at McLean SouthEast in Middleborough, MA, he exemplified person-centered care—pairing exceptional clinical expertise with genuine kindness.

In addition to his leadership at McLean, Duncan served as an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, where he shared his knowledge and passion for psychiatry with trainees at McLean Hospital and the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital in Brockton. He also provided invaluable clinical expertise to the consult-liaison service at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro.

Respected equally for his medical and legal acumen, Duncan brought a rare and influential perspective to the field of psychiatry. His research explored the intersections of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and malpractice law, as well as developmental themes in law, medicine, and literature. He investigated the uses of language in both law and medicine, patient safety, tort reform, and emerging technologies in medicine—contributions that left a lasting impact on both disciplines.

Tall in stature but even larger in heart, Duncan brought warmth and humanity into every space he entered—especially in his clinical work, where he seamlessly wove wit into even the most challenging situations. He approached every interaction—with patients, colleagues, and friends—with patience, empathy, and deep respect. He made everyone feel seen and valued.

In his free time, Duncan loved swimming (there wasn’t a body of water he wouldn’t jump into no matter the temperature), hiking, seeing plays and being with his wife and son.  With a passion for literature, he was a voracious reader.

Duncan leaves behind a loving and devoted family: wife Virginia Courtney and son Ian G. C. MacCourt of Woburn, MA, his brother Douglas MacCourt of Portland and Bandon, OR, dear aunts and uncles and cousins from the Eureka, CA area and Vancouver, British Columbia, and brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews on his wife’s side from New England and Florida.

A devoted father and man of great intellect, compassion, and at times, wicked humor, Duncan will be forever remembered and missed by his many friends, neighbors, colleagues, students, patients and family.

Calling hours will be held at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn on Friday evening, September 12, from 4:30-7:30 pm. A memorial service will take place at the Burlington Presbyterian Church, 335 Cambridge St., Burlington the following day, Saturday, September 13 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Mail Stop 126, Belmont, MA 02478; or the 21st Century General Scholarship Fund at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.  https://giving.apps.upenn.edu/fund?program=MED&fund=042961 If sending a check, please indicate in the 21st Century General Scholarship Fund in the subject line.