Marcella Shepard Dohany Head "Marci"

Marcella Shepard Dohany Head (“Marci”) passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, on Sunday, January 4, 2026. She was born on December 1, 1940, to Marcella Shepard and Emmet F. Dohany, the middle child of three, with an older brother, James Emmet (predeceased), and a younger sister, Michaela D. Mahoney.

Marci was raised in Detroit, Michigan, spending cherished summers at Pine Lake with her father’s extended family. She loved recounting stories of family, friends, and youthful antics at the lake, where her lifelong love of swimming took root. She received a Catholic education through her college years at Barat College in Lake Forest, Illinois.

After working in radio and television, a modeling job brought Marci to Chicago, where she met the love of her life, Stephen S. Head, on a blind date. They married within the year and began their family there, welcoming their first two children, Marnie and Steve.

Stephen’s career as a Chicago stockbroker later led to a transfer to F. I. duPont on Wall Street, moving Marci, Stephen, and their young family to the East Coast. From 1968 to 1976, they made their home in Short Hills, New Jersey, where four more children—Caroline, Tom, Topher, and Michael—were born. Their house was the place to be, always filled with friends, fun, and constant activity.

In 1969, Marci and Stephen began summering in Hyannis Port, a place that would remain central to her life. She delighted in beach days at West Beach Club, family dinners, dances and tennis and bridge at the Hyannisport Club, and sailing at the Hyannis Port Yacht Club.

Marci and Steve returned to the Midwest in 1976 moving to Lake Forest, Il. As the mother of a large and active family, Marci spent much of her time behind the wheel—driving her children and their friends to practices—and in the stands, faithfully attending their games and performances. These included Viking Hockey; Loyola Academy Hockey; Lake Forest Academy Track and Field and Tennis; Lake Forest High School Hockey, Cheerleading, and Theatre, and later visiting The Hotchkiss School for Sailing Regattas. As members of the Winter Club, Marci and Stephen found it central to family life, with their children either skating, swimming, attending camp or working there, while they enjoyed tennis and paddle tennis with friends.

Stephen was active in the community and managed Thomson McKinnon Securities in Lake Forest, before his sudden passing in 1985. Ever resilient, Marci moved to Beacon Hill in Boston and began a new chapter of her life.

She worked at Welch & Forbes, served as a docent and Ladies Committee member at the Museum of Fine Arts, and was an active member of the Vincent Club, supporting women’s health initiatives at Massachusetts General Hospital. In 2004, she retired full-time to Hyannis Port, where she happily spent her days playing bridge (very well!) reading, enjoying the company of friends and looking forward to her family coming to visit.

One of Marci’s greatest joys was being “Ami” to her five grandchildren: Will, Reed, Peter, Katherine and Shepard. She adored them completely, as they did her.

Marci had a sharp wit, an unmatched memory, and a gift for storytelling. She was an art and art history buff and had a great eye for interior design and fashion (people used to follow her around Filene’s Basement to see what she was shopping for). She loved music, dancing, movies (Casablanca, Darkest Hour), great Saturday Night Live sketches, history—especially World War II, her country, Winston Churchill, Jane Austen and John Singer Sargent. She loved a full house, a busy schedule, her faith and her mother. She loved her husband and her family above all.

She is survived by her children: daughter Margaret “Marnie” Head Rubinstein and her husband, Eric Rubinstein; son Stephen S. Head, Jr.; daughter Caroline Head Mitchell and her husband, David Mitchell; sons Thomas C. Head and his wife, Julie Shields Head; Christopher Reed Head; and Michael F. Head. She was predeceased by her son, Shepard Reed Head (June 15–23, 1981). Her grandchildren: William and Reed Mitchell, Peter and Katherine Rubinstein and Shepard J. Head. Pets: Higgins, Lucy, Rocky, and Skipper.

There will be a Catholic Service at 11am Friday, January 16th at Our Lady of Victory, 230 S. Main Street, Centerville, MA 02632. Reception to follow.

Memorial donations in the name of Marcella D. Head may be made to Heritage Museums & Gardens of Cape Cod.

https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/