Mrs. Jensen is Lorraine's miserable mother in Paul Zindel's The Pigman. Mrs. Jensen is depicted as a cynical, pessimistic woman, who is extremely insecure, hypocritical, and suspicious of her daughter. Mrs. Jensen has a difficult life working as a home-care nurse for the terminally ill as well as being a single mother. While she was pregnant with Lorraine, Mrs. Jensen discovered that her husband contracted a venereal disease, which led to their separation. As a result of her terrible marriage, Mrs. Jensen harbors negative feelings towards all men and continually warns her daughter that men are only interested in one thing.

Mrs. Jensen is also critical of her daughter and constantly criticizes Lorraine about her hair, weight, and clothing, which negatively affects her daughter's self-esteem. Mrs. Jensen is also portrayed as hypocritical. She tells her daughter not to steal things but continually takes food that belongs to her employers. She also receives compensation from funeral homes by referring patients' families to certain homes after their loved ones pass away. Despite her negative attitude towards life and terrible parenting skills, Mrs. Jensen has a sensitive side, which she does not show very often.