Edward's mother Beatrice is dying and knows it, despite the efforts of everyone around her to deny the fact except Dharma, who argues for honesty and gets a priceless Stradivarius as a keepsake, much to the horror of Kitty who believes it belongs in a museum -- especially after everyone has heard Dharma trying to learn "Three Blind Mice" on the instrument. Then Dharma learns something very surprising: Edward and Kitty's marriage was a whirlwind courtship bitterly opposed by Beatrice, who has never forgiven her "free-thinking" daughter-in-law and refuses to pass on the family heirloom engagement ring to her. Dharma tries to help mend fences before it's too late -- then tries to respect Beatrice's dying wish to pass on the ring when it is much, much too late. In a coda, Greg is more than happy to let Dharma's violin teacher borrow the Strad for a recital, then learns Dharma has taken up the trombone instead.
Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.
Complete story — includes the ending
The Montgomerys visit Edward's dying mother, Beatrice. Dharma and Beatrice are the only ones willing to acknowledge the elderly woman's imminent death. While there, Dharma spots a violin - which turns out to be a priceless Stradivarius - and asks Beatrice if she may have it. Beatrice agrees, and Dharma starts practicing, eschewing formal lessons, much to Greg's dismay. Kitty reveals to Dharma that Beatrice has always been hostile to her and refused to give Kitty a family heirloom ring. When the Montgomerys go to visit Beatrice to mend fences, they discover she has died. At the funeral, Dharma removes the ring from Beatrice's hand and gives it to Kitty, saying it was Beatrice's final wish that she have it. As a tribute to Beatrice, Dharma plays an unharmonious version of "Three Blind Mice", the only song she knows. After the funeral - much to Greg's delight - Dharma agrees to lend the violin to her instructor, only to then inform him she now plans to take up the trombone.