Ben and Casey Affleck are navigating the profound grief of losing their mother, Chris Anne, who passed away last month at the age of 83. A source close to the family described the loss as "unimaginable" and stated that the brothers are "grieving deeply."

Chris Anne died on June 2 in Los Angeles from cardiopulmonary arrest while visiting her son's residence. The death certificate also listed pancreatic adenocarcinoma, diagnosed six months prior, as an additional cause of death. She had been told by doctors in December that she had six months to live, and her final wish was to attend her grandson's high school graduation, which she did on May 31, just two days before her passing.

Her obituary noted that her five grandchildren—Indiana, 22, Violet, 20, Atticus, 18, Fin, 17, and Sam, 14—were the "animating force of her last two decades." The family is drawing strength from each other and their children during this difficult time.

Chris Anne, born in New York City in December 1942, was a dedicated public school teacher for 35 years before retiring in 2008. She held degrees from Harvard University and was known for her strong social consciousness and commitment to civil rights. In the 1960s, she taught literacy classes in Mississippi during Freedom Summer, marched against the Vietnam War, and was involved in the counterculture movement. Her obituary highlighted her willingness to question authority and her commitment to equality in the classroom.

She married Timothy Affleck, and together they had Ben in 1972 and Casey in 1975. After their divorce when Ben was 12, Chris Anne moved to Massachusetts and continued her teaching career. Casey Affleck credited his mother with maintaining stability in the household during that period, emphasizing her insistence on family traditions and vacations.

Chris Anne was an early supporter of Ben's aspirations in show business, connecting him with a Harvard roommate who worked as a casting director. This connection led to early roles for a young Ben in television films and commercials. She accompanied Ben and Matt Damon to the 1998 Academy Awards when they won for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for "Good Will Hunting." Ben recalled the significance of bringing their mothers to the ceremony, emphasizing the natural bond.

Following Ben's divorce from Jennifer Garner, Chris Anne maintained a close relationship with Garner, remaining a supportive figure and attending family gatherings, including Thanksgiving at Garner's home last year. She also attended Ben's 2022 wedding to Jennifer Lopez, despite a leg injury the day before.

Beyond her family, Chris Anne remained active in social causes after her retirement. She campaigned for Barack Obama, co-founded the Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine, and served on the board for the Sustainable Cape project. Shortly before her death, she was involved in recording oral histories related to her experiences and those of others.