Gwendolyn Ann Byrd Mulholland

Gwendolyn Ann Byrd Mulholland, age 82, joined the Lord on Saturday, August 28, 2021, in Chesapeake, VA surrounded by her family as she took her last breath. Gwendolyn was born on August 21, 1939, in Roanoke, VA to Robert Clyde Byrd and Francis Elizabeth Danner Byrd. She spent her early years on a dairy farm there and eventually moved to Norfolk, VA.

As a teenager and young adult she loved to dance attending many sock hops and community clubs where she and her brother, Bobby (whom she taught to dance) jitter-bugged until closing.

She married our stepfather, Joseph Mulholland in 1979. They had 19 wonderful years together devoted to each other and their children until his death in 1998. They met at Tom’s Tikki Tia where they danced together celebrating many anniversaries. They were noticed by locals both at home and abroad and during one of his deployments to Italy, they were given free drinks just to dance for the customers.

She is survived by three daughters, Nether Woods Sheptock and husband Bruce of Chesapeake, VA; Laurel Lee Woods of Suffolk, VA and Waverly Star Woods of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren, Raven Natividad and Chandler Woods and one great-grandchild, Nova Rose; brother, Robert Byrd and his wife, Barbara; their daughter, Amy and son-in-law Jason and their two children; half-sisters, Debbie, Becki and Robin; half-brother, George and cousins, Barbara, Wilmajean, Judy and their families.

Gwen’s career started with C&P Telephone Co and retired 36 years later in 1995 from Verizon. She was a fierce union supporter and was nicknamed “Perry Mason” because of her tenacity in representing her union membership as a steward. Another nickname she gained was “Norma Rae” for her steadfast, fighting spirit for the worker. She fought for fair wages and benefits which was a necessity to support her family. Gwen was a devoted mother, a passionate union representative and stellar member of her community; at times working three jobs to support the family. She was the ultimate mom, band mother, and friend who loved to have fun. All of which she did as a single mother. She belonged to four clubs: The Red Hatters, The Just Friends, Retired Members Club, and Pioneers of America with hundreds of friends. She was a member of Freedom Baptist Church of Chesapeake. She had to buy the family home having to list herself as “Femsole” identifying she was not married and responsible for the mortgage as a woman, without a husband, a testament to the times. She loved life and everything about it. Her girls are a testament to her veracity, persevering, and shear will. Our childhood friends loved to come to our home calling her “Momma Woods”. She was the world’s best mother, friend and confidant a daughter could have. She never took ‘no’ for an answer without following her heart.

A visitation will be held for close family and friends on 9/2/2021 from 4-8 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 East Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk VA 23502. A funeral service will be held on 9/3/2021 at 10am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens beside her parents and husband. You may offer your condolences at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com.