Christopher Anne Affleck, the mother of Ben and Casey Affleck, passed away on June 2 at 83. Her obituary, published in The Boston Globe, highlighted her peaceful passing in her sleep. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2025, she aimed to see her grandson’s high school graduation. She achieved this, attending the ceremony with her family on May 31, 2026, before her passing two days later.

Born in 1942 in New York City, Chris was an activist who taught literacy during Freedom Summer, protested the Vietnam War, and embraced 1960s counterculture. A Radcliffe graduate, she spent 35 years teaching in public schools, fostering an inclusive environment for students of diverse backgrounds.

Chris retired in 2008, thereafter engaging in volunteer work for President Barack Obama’s campaign, traveling to Israel/Palestine, and organizing for the Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine.

Ben, born in 1972, and Casey, in 1975, are sons of Chris and her ex-husband Timothy Affleck, who divorced in 1984. Both attribute their early passion for the arts to their parents.

Ben reflected on his acting origins with Parade in 2007, noting a casting director friend of his mom’s introduced him to acting. Ben found early success, winning an Academy Award in 1998 for “Good Will Hunting,” co-written with Matt Damon. The two both invited their mothers to accompany them to the Oscar ceremony. Ben later commented to Vanity Fair on the natural choice to bring their mothers, questioning why it seemed unusual.

Chris leaves behind not only her sons but also five grandchildren: Casey’s children, Indiana and Atticus, and Ben’s children, Violet, Fin, and Sam.