Dede tends to be a follower rather than a leader, and a pacifist in her dealings with people, "the docile middle child, used to following the lead. . . .cheerful, compliant."  As one might expect, Dede ended with a husband who was a bossy, dominant type personality, Jaimito.  Jaimito controls most of the family's business/money/bookkeeping ventures, and his efforts more often than not get the family in various types of financial difficulties.  Jaimito also forbids Dede to get involved in her sisters' resistance efforts and political activities, and her personality is not such that she will defy him.  Dede is the one who tells the story of "Las Mariposas" after the other three are killed.