Wendy Lowe Malvin of Newport News, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away on the morning of March 1, 2024 in Newport News.
The daughter of Robert Gayle Lowe and Lois Willis Lowe, Wendy was raised in Morehead City, NC. From earliest childhood, she spent treasured hours “Down Home” at the water with her beloved aunts, Mamie, Georgie, and “Auntie” on the family homestead in Gloucester, NC. It was there that her understanding of love and lifelong love of the water and the shore began.
Following study at Mary Washington College, Wendy began her journey in the legal profession working for a judge in Richmond and subsequently for attorneys in Maryland. Her longest professional association was with Herbert V. Kelly alongside whom she worked for more than 30 years at Jones, Blechman, Woltz, and Kelly of Newport News. Together with Mr. Kelly and other civic leaders, Wendy helped build “People to People” – a group focused on improving race relations and fostering mutual understanding of issues, needs and concerns across the city. In recognition of her tireless service, the organization honored Wendy as the recipient of its first “Hero Award” in 2001.
Wendy was married to Ronald Edward Gibson of Richmond and Frederick B. Malvin of Williamsburg. While both marriages ended in divorce, Wendy continued to be a dear friend to both men throughout their lives. Wendy cultivated an extended group of close friends throughout her life to whom she offered genuine warmth, an easy smile, and complete devotion.
Wendy is survived by her daughter, Georgann Marie Ramage (Patrick) of Barnstable, MA; her son, Ronald Edward Gibson, Jr., of Newport News; her grandchildren, Henry Cooper, Holden Synar, and Isabelle Kathryn Ramage of Barnstable, MA, Warrant Officer Ronald Edward (Trey) Gibson, III (Alexandra) of Fort Novosel, AL, and Madeline Grace and Jack William Gibson of Chesapeake; and her sister, Terry Beard of Gloucester. Her brother, Jon Bishop Lowe of Annapolis, MD pre-deceased her. Trista Biewenga, her husband Marc, and their family of Newport News; stalwart supporters especially in Wendy’s final years, also survive her.
All give thanks for Wendy’s life and example of abiding warmth and love. Family, friends and colleagues will gather at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at First Church Ministries, 410 Flannery O’Conner Street, Newport News, VA 23606 to celebrate the life of Wendy L. Malvin.
