Ben and Casey Affleck's Mother Chris Dies at 83 After Cancer Battle

The Affleck family is grieving the loss of Chris Affleck, mother of Hollywood stars Ben and Casey, who passed away on June 2 after a battle with cancer. She was 83. According to an obituary, Chris was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December and given about six months to live.

Her greatest wish after the diagnosis was to see her grandson graduate high school. That wish came true: she attended the ceremony on May 31 and died peacefully in her sleep two days later. Born in New York City in 1942, Chris graduated from Harvard University and taught in public schools for 35 years, while also being a civil rights advocate.

She married Timothy Affleck and had two sons, Ben (1972) and Casey (1975). The couple divorced when Ben was 12. Chris played a key role in her sons' acting careers: she introduced young Ben to her former Harvard roommate, a casting director who helped him land auditions for commercials and TV movies.

She continued to support them over the years, notably attending the 1998 Oscars with Ben when he and Matt Damon won Best Original Screenplay for 'Good Will Hunting.' Our condolences go out to the Affleck family. May Chris rest in peace.