Mamma was anything but clueless. She was just "old school Sicialian." She knew better than to be nagging at Vito all the time (unlike a certain bitchy daughter in law from New Hampshire who came along later). When he was out of work and broke, he brings her all he can afford, and she says, "what a nice pear." When Connie shows up with Merle, she scolds her and tells her to "see her family" and then wait in line for Mike "like everyone else."

She knew what Vito did, and why he did it, and she accepted it. She was plenty "wise" and used that wisdom when it was appropriate.