Who is Bev Kennedy from I Am the Messenger and what is their importance?

Beverly Anne Kennedy is Ed's mother. She says that she is proud of all of her children with the exception of Ed. She shows a glimmer of pride in her son when he helps catch the bank robber, but loses it quickly. After Ed sees his mother on a date with a strange man, Ed asks his mother why she does not like him. She tells him that it is because he reminds her of his father.