Who is Bendicion Alvarado, the General's Mother from The Autumn of the Patriarch and what is their importance?

Bendicion Alvarado is the General's mother. She also serves as his major connection to human feelings. Bendicion accompanies her son during the Federalist wars, and she enters the Presidential palace with him upon his seizure of power. After the Marines have invaded and finally left, Bendicion moves to a suburban mansion. She is a modest woman, who does require extravagant material needs. Bendicion spends her time doing thing such as painting birds and caring for caged birds. After a long life, Bendicion finally sickens and dies.