Marian Catlin is a young mother who has recently battled breast cancer. Marian believes in nature and makes the argument that nature should be allowed to grow as it pleases rather than bringing in plants that would die without human interference. Marian open, loving, and accepting of all people no matter what their beliefs or actions. Marian adores Joe, and she seems to enjoy the arguments they often have over Jim Peck and his kind as well as the gophers that are destroying Joe's garden.