Marcia Ann Ahearn of Somerville passed away peacefully on August 2, 2024, at the age of 75. Born December 31, 1948 to Francis and Bradford Shapleigh in Boston, she is survived by her beloved husband John Joseph Ahearn, with whom she shared 46 years of joyous marriage. She leaves behind her son, John Ahearn, her brother, Bruce Shapleigh, sister-in-law Carol Shapleigh, niece Amie Shapleigh, nephew Bradford Shapleigh, sister-in-law Janice Ahearn, and many loving friends and extended family.

Marcia’s life was filled with an animating love of education, first in early childhood education, for which she received a bachelor’s degree from Lesley University, and then later in life as a volunteer ESL teacher. She was a lifelong student of the arts, and over time produced a wonderful repertoire of paintings which her loved ones continue to treasure. She will be remembered as a deeply caring person who could light up a room with her radiant smile, and who brought her singular sense of spontaneity and levity into the lives of all those who knew her.

A service will be held to celebrate Marcia’s life on Monday, August 12th from 10-12 pm in Boston Cremation in Malden. In lieu of flowers, please consider making contributions to Doctors Without Borders in her memory.