Who is Mrs. Ekdahl from Ghost Girl: The True Story of a Child in Peril and the Teacher Who Saved Her and what is their importance?

Mrs. Ekdahl is the mother to Jade, Amber and Sapphire. It is Mrs. Ekdahl who tells Torey that her girls have never spent a night away from home. When Torey takes the doll to Jadie when Jadie is at home sick, Mrs. Ekdahl listens outside of Jadie's door while Torey is talking to the girl. Torey notes in her book that she almost bumps into the lady as she leaves Jadie's room. Jadie's mother makes a point to tell Torey that she heard what Torey was saying to Jadie. She also mentions how much the doll looks like Torey.