Mawkish woman left home (7)
I believe the answer is:
maudlin
'mawkish' is the definition.
('maudlin' can be a synonym of 'mawkish')
'woman left home' is the wordplay.
'woman' becomes 'maud' (**).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'home' becomes 'in' ('he's home' can mean 'he's in').
'maud'+'l'+'in'='MAUDLIN'
(Other definitions for maudlin that I've seen before include "Soppy, lachrymose" , "Mushy and emotional" , "Effusively or insincerely emotional" , "Weakly sentimental" , "Foolishly sentimental (often when drunk)" .)