Deborah Melvina "Debbie" Wolowitz (most often known and credited as Mrs. Wolowitz) was the mother of Howard Wolowitz and the mother-in-law of Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz. Howard always simply calls her "Ma" (usually while screaming). The name "Debbie" was revealed in the Season 7 finale "The Status Quo Combustion" by Stuart (and may or may not be a pet name); up until that point, she had only been referred to as "Mrs. Wolowitz." Despite her over-controlling, loud, over-protective, sometime desperate ways, she is not only nice and caring, but is also a loving motherly figure to both her son and his friends.