Joanne Rogers, widow of Fred Rogers, dies at 92

Author: CBS Pittsburgh/KDKA
Published:
Fred Rogers wife, Mrs. Joanne Rogers poses in front a poster of the Mister Rogers Forever Stamp following the first-day-of-issue dedication in WQED’s Fred Rogers Studio in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Joanne Rogers, the widow of Pittsburgh icon Fred Rogers, has died, according to Fred Rogers Productions and the McFeely-Rogers Foundation. She was 92.

The couple was married for 50 years before Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood fame, died in 2003 of stomach cancer at the age of 74.

Fred Rogers Productions released a statement on Mrs. Rogers passing:

“Fred Rogers Productions is deeply saddened by the passing of Joanne Rogers. 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. Joanne was 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.”

After her husband’s death, Mrs. Rogers carried on his legacy of promoting kindness and understanding and making this a better world for children.

In 2019, she was given the George Romero Legacy Award at Steeltown Entertainment’s 2019 Elly Awards.

Steeltown said that Joanne preserved her husband’s legacy while also helping young filmmakers learn about film and media.

She was also a very visible figure recently.

“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” starring Tom Hanks as her husband, was released in 2019.

Of the movie, she said, “I loved it. I think Tom is a genius, almost. I want to give credit — Tom Hanks has gotten lots and lots of good press and he deserves every bit of it.”

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