Mrs. Gleason is Kirk's mother, about whom very little is known. She has a rivalry with Kirk's girlfriend, Lulu, and Kirk lives with her well into his adult years. Through Kirk's description of their home life, she seems an incredibly demanding woman, who enjoys having her son at her service and does not seem to care much what is best for Kirk. This might explain why Kirk is so adamant in seeking approval from the townspeople at large, Taylor and Luke in particular.