Frances Wilder

Frances Wilder is the mother of Pete Wilder.

Killing Henry
When Pete was a teen, she dated a man named Henry. Henry was good to Pete and Adam and wanted to marry Frances, but during a fight, Frances stabbed Henry to death. ("All in the Family")

Time in Prison
Frances had served 35 years in prison for manslaughter when Adam went to Pete to try to repair their relationship. Pete went to see Frances, but saw that she didn't have any condition that would merit compassionate release. He went to Sam and asked him to lie and get Frances released. Sam offered to lie for him, but Pete spoke to his mother and decided he couldn't go through with it after hearing that his mother didn't feel bad for killing Henry or anything else about Pete's childhood. ("Can't Find My Way Back Home")

Romantic
When Pete was a teen, Frances dated a man named Henry, whom Pete says is the first good man that he knew. Henry wanted to marry Frances, but they once had a fight that ended with Frances stabbing Henry to death. ("All in the Family")

Prior to Henry, she had multiple partners, to the point where Pete has no idea who his father is.

Familial
While Adam has stuck by her side and defended her actions, Pete resented his mother for killing the only man he ever felt was a good role model for him.