Marcelle Arbid Dabney, most recently of Marlborough, MA, formerly a long-time resident of McKinney, TX, passed away April 25, 2024 at the age of 89. Cherished daughter of the late Marguerite and Salim Arbid. Loving mother of Carl Lang and his wife Rhesa of Harper, TX and Danielle Lualdi and her husband Paul of Weston, MA. Adoring grandmother of Alex Lang, Maddie Lang, Colin Lualdi and Garret Lualdi. Dear Sister of the late Renee Haddad (Fred) of Stittsville, Ontario and Georgette Chidiac (Joseph) of Montreal, Quebec. Predeceased by her former spouses, Augustus (Gus) B. Dabney and Robert (Bob) J. Lang, father of her children. Her treasured family also included many of her endeared cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Marcelle was born on June 30, 1934, in Beirut, Lebanon. It was there that she attended elementary and high school, and graduated from l'Université St. Joseph (USJ) with her French Law Degree. She then traveled to Paris, France and continued her studies at the Sorbonne. While in Paris, she also studied ballet and received encouraging accolades from her instructor to pursue dance as a career.
Rather, Marcelle chose to fulfill her longtime dream of emigrating to the United States. After several years of living in New York City and New Jersey where she began her family, she returned to Beirut. Fluent in three languages, she worked as the secretary to the Director of The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Missing what she loved that remained in the United States, she chose to return, settle in Texas, and embraced all things Texan, even acquiring a slight accent! There she enjoyed a successful career at the Quebec Government Office in Dallas and later owned and managed a boutique gift shop in McKinney.
Later in life, her tenacity and perseverance despite overwhelming physical challenges from a thirty-year illness became an inspiration to those who were fortunate to know her. Her illness precipitated a move to New England, which brought its own blessings in allowing her to live close to her daughter's family and the ocean, which she loved. It beckoned her, rekindling her memories of adeptly swimming the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Her talents also included clothing design, knitting and playing the piano. She also was a voracious reader, and an ardent football fan, first for the Dallas Cowboys and then the New England Patriots. She seemed to cast good fortune upon her chosen teams as they each, in turn, had a penchant for making the playoffs or winning the Superbowl!
Marcelle was an adoring mother, grandmother and sister. She loved her family deeply, which grew to include her daughter’s in-laws and their wonderful family. She was charming, elegant, spirited and generous. She built lasting friendships and cherished each one. She enjoyed entertaining, socializing, and dancing. She was a true people person, and those who knew her will remember her disarming smile, lovely laugh and twinkling eyes.
As the years unfold, those of us who loved her will cherish her memory and honor a life well lived in spite of the multiple adversities she endured, none of which ever dimmed her fiery spirit and enduring independence. May God be with her, grant her eternal peace, and shine perpetual light upon her.
Services will be private. Contributions may be made in memory of Marcelle Dabney to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 45740, Baltimore, MD 21297-5740.