Gwen Dooley

Gwen was born August 3,1967 in Arlington, VA to the late Patricia Sager-Dean.

Gwen grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, the oldest of three sisters. Gwen graduated from Fairfax High School in 1985, and from George Mason University with a BA in Economics. Gwen went through treatment and beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma, just in time for a date with fate.

On March 6, 1994 she went on only one date with her neighbors’ brother, Mark Dooley, while he was visiting from Kansas. A few months later, on October 1, 1994, she married Mark, the love of her life.

Mark and Gwen settled in Stafford and raised two beautiful daughters. Some of their favorite trips were to Disney World, the Outer Banks, Oklahoma, and other parts of Florida. Gwen spent 37 years working for Truist through its many transitions. Gwen loved her job and all the people she was able to meet along the way.

Gwen was a loving wife, mother, sister, and Grammie. Some of Gwen’s favorite memories were family game nights, gathering by the pool, going to the Outer Banks, and riding around in the car with Mark. She was one of the kindest people you could ever meet, with a heart of gold and a contagious smile. When she was younger, Gwen was a role model and confidante for her younger sisters. As adults, Gwen, Michelle, and Samantha enjoyed some of their closest moments on girls’ nights out and family beach trips with the Dooley family. Michelle and Samantha nearly had Gwen persuaded to get a sister tattoo…almost. Gwen absolutely loved her family and friends. She also adored being a mother and Grammie. Gwen would tell anyone and everyone about how proud she was of her two daughters. She would keep herself busy by jamming out to Keith Urban on car rides, going to concerts, crafts with the grand babies, spontaneous trips to different towns with Mark, and endless phone calls and visits from family and friends. Most will fondly remember Gwen for her beautiful smile and her selective hearing.

Gwen is preceded in death by her parents, Christopher Dean and Patricia Sager-Dean; and her mother-in-law, Martha Dooley.

She is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, Mark; daughters, Brittany (Chris) and Rachel (James); grandbabies, Kinley, Harper, and Declan; her sisters, Michelle Henry and Samantha Lyon (Alexander); brothers in law, Jim Dooley (Dianne) and Mike Dooley (Yong); father-in-law, Roger Dooley; and many nieces and nephews.

Words can never express how much Gwen will be missed. She was important to so many people.

A celebration of life for Gwen will be held at noon on Thursday, July 27, at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, 186 Shelton Shop Road, Stafford. Visitation will start at 11 am with the service starting at noon. Following the service there will be a gathering to honor the life of Gwen at Quantico National Cemetery at 2 pm. At this time, there are no plans for a reception.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Gwen's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mullinsthompsonstafford.com for the Dooley family.