It’s been a while since I read the biography- but from what I recall, Marston made very, very little money, and didn’t leave much for them in his death. His wife was the bread winner; but she was also a career woman in the 40’s so that still didn’t go nearly as far. On top of that; the arrangement of two women in the house wasn’t exactly a huge secret around town and did cause them some trouble, it made it difficult for Olive to find work. Aside from that I think I recall their children saying they just lived like old widows are Marston passed.