Dorothy McVie: How Did John McVie’s Mother Die?

Dorothy McVie is the mother of British bass guitarist John Graham McVie. Dorothy’s son John McVie was a member of the rock band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers (1964 to 1967) and has been a member of Fleetwood Mac since 1967. His last name was combined with that of his bandmate Mick Fleetwood’s last name to form the band’s name “Fleetwood Mac”.

Dorothy McVie: Bio Summary

Who Was John McVie’s Mother, Dorothy McVie?

Dorothy McVie was born Dorothy Alice Smith on July 24, 1923, to Montague William Smith and Alice Edith Creasey. No information regarding her siblings, other relatives, family background, childhood days, and education is available right now. She was the wife of Reg McVie also known as Reginald Edward William McVie. Dorothy and Reg kept their union private so much is unknown.

How Dorothy and Reg met each other for the first time and their dating history isn’t known. However, they are believed to have dated for some time before getting married. They became a couple officially in the year 1944, in Brentford, Middlesex, England, according to Geneanet. It is unknown if Dorothy’s marriage to Reg was her first marriage or if she was previously married.

Nothing is known about Dorothy’s past relationships. She has not been found romantically linked with any other man apart from her husband Reg. Dorothy and Reg welcomed two children into the world. They had a daughter and a son. Their son is John Graham McVie (b. 26 November 1945) and their daughter is Brenda Christine McVie. Unfortunately, Brenda passed away when she was very young.

Dorothy did her best to take care of her home. She lived an ordinary life. Her son John McVie started to have an interest in music when he was young. He began his musical pursuits playing the trumpet but later switched to playing the bass guitar. Dorothy and her husband Reg McVie supported their son’s interest in music. Reg even bought John a pink Fender bass guitar reportedly on credit.

“He brought it home one day as a present and I went mad,” John McVie said. “I stood in front of the mirror in my room and dreamed I was Jet Harris, the Shadows’ bassist, because he played a pink Fender, too.” Before pursuing music seriously, John trained to be a tax inspector. He became a member of the band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers but his time with them lasted from 1964 to 1967.

ALSO, READ: Reg McVie: What Happened To John McVie’s Father?

John joined the band Fleetwood Mac shortly after it was formed in the 1960s. Other members of the band include/have included Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Neil Finn, and Mike Campbell. Fleetwood Mac has sold more than 120 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling bands. They received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In the year 1998, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have also received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Dorothy McVie had a close and supportive relationship with her son. Although her son became famous and successful, Dorothy stayed away from the limelight. She has not provided many details about her life to the public.

Dorothy’s son John McVie is said to have struggled with alcohol problems since the age of 18 years. He experienced an alcohol-induced seizure and with a therapist’s help, he quit drinking completely. As he recalls, “It was time to stop– plus it was destroying everything. There’s nothing constructive comes out of being an alcoholic.” In October 2013, he was diagnosed with colon cancer and began treatment.

In 2017, it was reported that John McVie’s colon cancer was completely cleared. He used to be married to English musician and singer Christine Anne McVie (née Perfect). Christine was also a member of Fleetwood Mac. John and Christine were married from 1968 until they got divorced in 1976. They had no children together. John has been married to Julie Anne Rubens since April 19, 1978. They have a daughter Molly Elizabeth McVie.

ALSO, READ: Julie Ann Reubens: Where Is John McVie’s Wife Now?

How Did John McVie’s Mother Die?

Exactly how John McVie’s mother Dorothy McVie passed away is unknown. It is difficult to tell if she died of an illness or not. She is said to have died in the year 2002 when she was 79 years old. Her husband Reg McVie died in the 1990s. She is survived by her son John McVie and his wife Julie Ann Reubens, granddaughter Molly Elizabeth McVie, and other relatives.