Who was Valerie Anne Matthews? Dave Matthews' mother dies at 89

The songwriter and guitarist, Dave Matthew's mother Valerie Anne Matthews passed on Sunday, February 9 at her home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Valerie was battling Alzheimer's disease.

According to the online obituary that was posted on 18 February, Valerie was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren days before her passing. Her obituary also revealed that:

''It was a time of great sadness but also one of joy, filled with laughter and music and stories. Val’s kindness, graciousness, and humor shone through to the end. Her family will always treasure this time together.''

A closer look at the life Valerie lived

Valerie was a social activist and an architect. She was also a passionate advocate who spoke in favor of women's rights, environmental conversation, peace, and marriage equality.

She worked at the Hayward, Llorens, and Boyd firm until her retirement in 1994. She was also fond of watercolor painting, nature, and poetry. Anne was a part of the Religious Society of Friends where she actively participated in Quaker Meetings in Chappaqua, Johannesburg, and Charlottesville.

Val was first married to John Matthews who was a Physicist and they together had four children- Peter, Dave, Anne, and Jane. John died at the age of 45 from Hodgkin's lymphoma. Anne then married Lee Strait in 1991 and their nine years of marriage came to an end when Lee died in 2000 of a stroke.

In 1994, a tragedy struck Val again when she lost her 29-year-old daughter Anne. She left behind two children. Anne gained the custody of her grandchildren and brought them to Charlottesville where they were cared for by their extended family members.

Although grief came in Anne's way over and over again, she didn't let it define her. Her online obituary says that she rejoiced in friends and family and found pleasure in simple things like her snoring dogs, a walk by the river, and the changing sunrise.

Valerie's final days

As per Valerie's obituary, during her final days, she was cared for at her home by a team of caregivers. It also states that Val's family will forever be grateful to the team for the grace, love, and dignity with which they cared for Val.

Dave Matthew, along with his brother Peter and their sister Jane were present by Val's side at the time of her death. Matthew who was to perform FireAid benefit concert in Los Angeles on Jan 30 had to cancel the event just a day before. On Jan 29, the Dave Matthews Band announced on their Instagram that Dave had to drop out because of a serious illness in the family.

Born in Potchefstroom, South Africa in 1935 to an artist and geologist, Val leaves behind her son Dave and his wife Ashley, Peter and his wife Kathleen, her daughter Jane and her son-in-law Sam, one great-grandson and six grandchildren.