Joanne Rogers Dies: Widow Of TV’s ‘Mister Rogers’ And Frequent Guest On The Show Was 92
Joanne Rogers, the widow of TV legend Fred Rodgers, died Thursday from heart issues at her home in Pittsburgh at age 92. Fred Rogers Productions announced her passing on Twitter.
“Fred Rogers Productions is deeply saddened by the passing of Joanne Rogers,” said the statement. “The loving partner of Fred Rogers for more than 50 years, she continued their shared commitment to supporting children and families after his death as chair of the board of Fred Rogers Productions.”
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She was called “a brilliant and accomplished musician, a wonderful advocate for the arts, and a dear friend to everyone in our organization. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Joanne’s family and the thousands of people who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.”
Born Sara Joanne Byrd, she met Fred Rogers while attending Florida’s Rollins College, marrying him in 1952. They remained married until his death in 2003 and shared sons James Rogers and John Rogers.
Mrs. Rogers received a Masters of Music at Florida State University and taught at Chatham College’s Preparatory School and Carlow College.
She also played an unspecified role in Fred Rogers’ first television show, The Children’s Corner, which aired on PBS affiliate WQED in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Rogers later appeared on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in a number of episodes, appeared in the 2018 documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and had a cameo in the Tom Hanks biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
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