Mama was a presence in the family, and her word probably carried a lot of weight. Notice that she is always scolding Sonny not to interfere with Connie's marriage, and how Michael came to her for help when his family was falling apart.
"Io sono stanco, sono imbigliato, and I wan't everyone here to know, there ain't gonna be no trouble from me..Don Corleone..Cicc' a port!"
"I stood in the courtroom like a fool."
"I am Constanza: Lord of the idiots."
| 
