When the show begins in 1965, Marie is a biochemistry graduate student at Salem University. She has recently broken her engagement to a wealthy man named Rick Butler and is now engaged to Tony Merritt, her neighbor. Marie's sister Addie disapproves of Marie's engagement to Tony, as Tony is "merely" a teacher, while Rick is wealthy like Addie's husband, Ben Olson.
At the outset of the series in 1965, Marie is a biochemistry graduate student at Salem University. She has recently ended her engagement to a wealthy man named Rick Butler and is now engaged to Tony Merritt, her neighbor. Marie's sister Addie disapproves of Marie's engagement to Tony, as Tony is merely an educator, whereas Rick is wealthy like Addie's husband, Ben Olson.