Tolkien the Matricide

[Neferchoirwen]

The 'dead mother' is probably a literary archetype" which serves as a "base" for any good story. No doubt that I think it is.

There is just something about loss that keeps someone going. And I agree with what King says about that:

This probably strengthens the hero's character, fending for oneself all their life.
The greater the odds/challenges to overcome the greater the hero one shall be.

The mother is a central person to any character, and the loss of this special person does create changes essential for a certain development.