Mothers in Fiction

From Lady Wildcow Ninsun (the mother of Gilgamesh), to the beautiful (and usually dead) mothers of the Brothers Grimm, to Sarabi of Disney's "The Lion King" mother's have always, and continue to, play a major roll in fiction. Given how much of a character's self is dependent on a mother for formation it is nearly impossible to tell a novel length story about a protagonist without referencing the mother in one form or another. The presence of the mother is so pivotal to characters that their absence (especially at an early age) is often the single defining driver of the story. Or at least a powerful secondary character. 
So here's to all the mothers out there. On behalf of all writers I apologize for killing you off for dramatic effect (but really it was necessary for the plot). 
#MothersDay