Joanne Rogers, Wife Of Beloved Mister Rogers, Has Died At 92
Joanne Rogers kept her husband’s legacy going strong in the 17 years since his death
Joanne Rogers, the widow of Fred Rogers, has died at the age of 92. And while it would be hard to find a single soul who didn’t know and love her husband, it’s Joanne who has kept his legacy going strong since his death from stomach cancer in 2003.
The Mrs. to everyone’s beloved Mister died Thursday after a lengthy hospital stay, according to WTAE. The actor David Newell, better known as the mailman, Mr. McFeely, on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, confirmed the news of her death.
Fred Rogers Productions, the Pittsburgh-based non-profit organization specializing in children’s public programming and the production company behind Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, released a statement about Joanne.
(1/2) 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. pic.twitter.com/ZgrxtAHHW8
— Fred Rogers Productions (@FredRogersPro) January 14, 2021
“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.”
(2/2) 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. pic.twitter.com/aPx9mGwhzc
— Fred Rogers Productions (@FredRogersPro) January 14, 2021
Both Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are local treasures in the Pittsburgh area, where they lived, worked, and inspired their neighbors throughout their entire lives. Many people weighed in on Joanne’s passing, locally and nationally.
We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Joanne Rogers, a joyful and tender-hearted spirit, whose heart and wisdom have guided our work in service of Fred’s enduring legacy. We extend our sympathies to the Rogers Family and all who were blessed to know Joanne. pic.twitter.com/ncJMIMSrxi
— Fred Rogers Center (@FredRogersCtr) January 14, 2021
Heartbroken to learn of the loss of Joanne Rogers, one of our favorite neighbors.
Joanne and Fred were Pennsylvania treasures committed to improving our communities and the lives of our children.
We will never forget their legacy of kindness. https://t.co/UqYlCgChrL
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) January 14, 2021
There's no Mr. Rogers without Joanne Rogers. ❤️
The widow of the television icon died today at 92, according to @KDKA. 🙏
Last year, the staff at Pittsburgh's Magee Women’s Hospital serenaded her during a visit. pic.twitter.com/xClzrjPuzA
— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) January 14, 2021
Joanne Rogers has died. She was 92.
Mrs. & her husband, Fred Rogers were married for 50 years.
He and she made the world a little kinder.
As the city of @Pittsburgh said, she was one of “our favorite neighbors.” pic.twitter.com/OOLWSuoU4y— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) January 14, 2021
Devastating loss. May she be with Fred now and forever resting easy on the comfort of knowing for certain how many lives they positively impacted across the generations. Their legacy is safe here with all of us. ❤️🖤💛 https://t.co/SBjq83Ad7E
— Virginia Montanez (@JanePitt) January 14, 2021
Joanne has been honored many times in recent years, including an award in 2019 that credited her with preserving Fred Rogers’ legacy in Pittsburgh and helping young people learn about film and media, and the Loving Kindness Award from the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.
According to The Washington Post, she worked on her husband’s first show, The Children’s Corner, and also shared his deep love of music. She herself was a concert pianist who encouraged her husband to bring “a little more of the light side” of him through music on his television programs.
And, like all of us, she’s a big Tom Hanks fan. When he was in town filming A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, where he portrayed her husband in the Oscar-nominated role, Hanks and Joanne developed a friendship.
“I did have the chance to tell him that Fred loved his work,” she told WTAE at the time. “It’s almost providential that he’s doing this. Fred loved Forrest Gump.”
After her husband’s death, she worked to continue his legacy through nonprofit organizations including Fred Rogers Productions, the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning, and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.
As a native Pittsburgher myself, I can tell you that the news of Joanne’s death truly hits home, as cliche as that may sound. If you’ve ever visited our fair city, then you know firsthand that we hold them in the highest regard. From statues that have been erected to museum dedications that bear their name, Mister Rogers Neighborhood is our neighborhood. In every way. And Joanne kept that going for the last 17 years after we said one of the most painful goodbyes Pittsburgh has ever experienced.
The message of kindness, of showing up for one another, of helping our community — a message that is deeply needed at this particular time in history — it was their message. And the world will never forget it.