Joanne Rogers was so much more than just Fred Rogers’ adoring wife.
The two married in 1952, and she remained by his side until his death in 2003. Though her husband’s fame skyrocketed thanks to the success of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Mrs. Rogers also was able to carve out a successful niche of her own as a professional pianist, teacher and advocate of decency and kindness in Pittsburgh and beyond.
“Joanne Rogers was one of a kind,” said Bill Isler, who lives in Squirrel Hill and is president emeritus of Fred Rogers Productions. “She was an amazing human being. She endeared herself to everybody.”
Mrs. Rogers died Thursday at the age of 92. Fred Rogers Productions confirmed her passing.
“Fred Rogers Productions is deeply saddened by the passing of Joanne Rogers,” the organization said in a statement to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “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.”
Remembrances poured in immediately following the news of her death, including from Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.
“Through her grace, humor and down-to-earth demeanor, Joanne Rogers personified what we love about the City of Pittsburgh,” he said in a statement. “As the partner of Fred Rogers for a half-century, she helped champion his good works to a global audience, and remained committed to his vision and to this city after his passing.
“She was always there when we needed her. I and countless others, from every walk of life, were humbled to call her a friend."
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said in a statement about Mrs. Rogers’ death that “it is a sad day in our neighborhood,” and he gave his “deepest sympathies to her family and friends on this great loss.”
Those who knew her well also remembered her fondly, including Barbara Vancheri, a former Post-Gazette movie critic and friend of Mrs. Rogers since 2003.
“She was just a delight,” Ms. Vancheri said. “Joanne had a wonderful laugh and was just a very warm person. She was just exactly how you would want her to be."
Mrs. Rogers was born Sara Joanne Byrd on March 9, 1928, in Jacksonville, Fla., the daughter of Wyatt Adolphus Byrd and Ebra V. Edwards Byrd.
She attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., where she studied classical piano with Ernst von Dohnanyi. That’s also where she met Mr. Rogers while earning a bachelor of music degree in piano performance.
“Fred was at Dartmouth,” said Mr. Isler. “He was talking to the new head of the music department about what he wanted to do. He said, ‘You should go to Rollins College …’
“Joanne was one of the music students, and she picked him up at the train station and showed him around Rollins.”
Mrs. Rogers has a master’s degree in music from Florida State University and was an accomplished concert pianist who toured professionally with Jeannine R. Morrison, a lifelong friend whom she met in college, as the Rogers-Morrison Piano Duo. The pair also recorded two studio albums together.
“That’s the one thing about her that stands out, and her love of music,” said David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” “She didn’t take herself that seriously. She was just a good sport and a wonderful, wonderful woman. Very warm, could talk to anybody. She had her own life and career, too.”
James R. Okanak, Mrs. Rogers’ second cousin, who runs the McFeely-Rogers Foundation, was always struck by her contagious laugh that would make everyone at family gatherings wish they were sitting at the same table she was. Her skill on the piano also never ceased to amaze him.
“I’ve known Joanne all my life,” he said. “She was smart. She remembered people’s names. She had tremendous talent with her piano playing.
“When she and Jeannine R. Morrison had their Rogers-Morrison duo, not only did they make good music, they had a wonderful time together. That was reflected in how they played, the manner in which they played.”
In addition to her career in music, Mrs. Rogers also served as a teacher, both at Chatham College’s Preparatory School and as a music instructor at Carlow College in the 1970s.
She was Mr. Rogers’ doting companion as he rose to fame as the star of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” She remained active in preserving his legacy and the values of kindness and respect for all he championed after he died at age 74 due to stomach cancer.
“Fred used to say that if it wasn’t for Joanne, there would be no neighborhood,” Mr. Isler said. “That’s because Fred was writing and producing and she was the one who took care of the boys. She was always there for him.”
Besides her formal education, she also collected honorary degrees from Seton Hill University, Duquesne University and Saint Vincent College. She served on the board of Rollins College — her alma mater — Fred Rogers Productions and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Joanne Rogers,” Saint Vincent College said in a statement. “Her love and unwavering support for her husband, Fred, and his legacy, her accomplishments as a classically trained concert pianist and her commitment to spreading kindness and joy has left a remarkable impact in our neighborhood and our world.”
Ken Gormley, Duquesne University’s president, issued a similar statement: “Joanne Rogers was a sparkling light in Pittsburgh. She was an incurably joyous, optimistic presence in her husband, Fred’s, life and his steady inspiration. Joanne’s spirit touched every part of this city she called home. … She will be a permanent part of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, and, for those of us who knew and loved her, she will always remain in our hearts.”
Maxwell King, former top executive at the Heinz Endowments and Pittsburgh Foundation and author of the book "The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers" said, “Peggy and I are so sad that Joanne is gone. She has been such a wonderful friend — so kind and thoughtful, intelligent and talented, witty and charming. It was always hard to believe that someone could be as wonderfully good and wonderfully fun as Joanne was. She had great talent as a pianist and great character as a person. We will miss her terribly, as will so very many people.”
“Joanne Rogers was a light to our community and we extend our sincere condolences and prayers to all who mourn her passing,” said Dr. Jeffrey Myers, rabbi hazzan of Tree of Life. “We were proud to welcome Joanne to serve on our Honorary Campaign Cabinet and know that the Tree of Life family is better because of her involvement and support. May her memory, and that of her dear husband Fred, always serve as an inspiration and blessing.”
Mrs. Rogers is survived by her sons, James Byrd Rogers and John Frederick Rogers, and three grandchildren.
Joshua Axelrod: jaxelrod@post-gazette.com and Twitter @jaxel222. Bill Schackner, Marylynne Pitz and Nick Trombola contributed.
First Published: January 14, 2021, 10:00 p.m.
Updated: January 14, 2021, 10:52 p.m.
