Valerie Jeanne “VJ” Anastasia, who was featured in AFTD’s short awareness film VJ & Chuck, died peacefully on Feb. 13, 2019, in Providence, Rhode Island. She was 62 years old.

VJ & Chuck, produced by Joseph Becker and ThinkFilm Inc., presented a creative telling of the experience of life with FTD through the eyes of the person with the condition.

The Anastasias were both very committed to supporting others facing dementia and raising awareness. Their willingness to share their personal experience to advance the public understanding of the condition mirrors that of many families touched by FTD, and is at the heart of AFTD’s mission.

The film premiered at the 2017 Hope Rising Benefit. To date, it has been viewed more than 7,000 times on AFTD’s YouTube channel.

VJ was born in Martinsville, Virginia, in 1956 and graduated from the University of Rhode Island. While in college, she met her husband Chuck Anastasia, whom she married in 1980. He survives her, along with their three children: Michael (Rebecca), Nicholas and Emily (Lucas Young).

AFTD extends its warmest condolences to Chuck and all of VJ’s family.