Mary Ramsey, Elizabeth's mother, was orphaned as a young child and brought up by her siblings. As a result, she never acquires a sense of belonging. Mama enjoys the momentos she gathered over the years and is extremely interested in geneology, as it gives her a sense of family. Mama marries very young and gives birth to nine children. She is described as tireless, affectionate, and slightly passive-aggressive.
Sleepless Nights