Dave Matthews Mourns the Loss of His Mother Valerie at 89

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Valerie Anne Matthews, the mother of musician Dave Matthews, passed away at the age of 89 on February 9 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her death occurred at home, where her children and grandchildren gathered to share moments of joy amidst their grief.

The obituary, published on February 18, described the final days of Valerie’s life as a time rich with laughter, music, and family stories. “Val’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild were able to gather around her in the days leading up to her death,” it stated. “Her kindness, graciousness, and humor shone through to the end, and her family will always treasure this time together.”

Valerie was put into hospice care earlier this year following a sudden decline in her health due to natural causes. Dave Matthews and his siblings, Peter and Jane, were at her bedside when she passed. This family crisis led to the cancellation of a scheduled performance by the Dave Matthews Band in Los Angeles on January 30, where the band cited “a critical illness in the family” as the reason for the change.

Born on May 11, 1935, in Potchefstroom, South Africa, Valerie was the daughter of a geologist and an artist. She pursued her education in architecture at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. In 1961, she married John Matthews and moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, with their children—Dave, Peter, Anne, and Jane—after John went to work at the University of Virginia.

The couple’s marriage lasted 15 years until John’s untimely death from Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 45. Valerie faced further tragedy in 1994 when her daughter Anne was murdered by her husband, who subsequently took his own life, leaving behind two young children. “Although devastated by Anne’s death, Val stepped into the breach, gaining custody of her grandchildren and bringing them back to Charlottesville,” the obituary noted.

Valerie did not let grief define her. She found joy in family, friends, and the simple pleasures of life. Her career in architecture spanned various locations, including Johannesburg, London, and New York, before her retirement in 1994. Known for her deep appreciation of nature, art, and poetry, Valerie continued to advocate for various social causes throughout her life.

“Val was a passionate advocate for peace, environmental conservation, marriage equality, and women’s rights,” her obituary emphasized. “She spoke out against racism, bigotry, and small-mindedness through social activism and frequent letters to the editor.”

In her later years, Valerie was cared for by a remarkable team of caregivers who were commended in her obituary for their selflessness and love. Dave Matthews’s family expressed their gratitude for these women who cared for Val with dignity throughout her struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Valerie is survived by her son Dave and his wife Ashley, son Peter and his wife Kathleen, daughter Jane and her husband Sam, as well as six grandchildren and one great-grandson. She was predeceased by her husband John, her daughter Anne, and her second husband, Lee Strait, who passed away in 2000.