7 Life Lessons From Fred Rogers’ Wife Joanne, Who Died Last Week At Age 92 By Josh Shepherd for The Federalist
Joanne Rogers had a big personality, yet shunned the spotlight. As one of the many moved by their legacy, here are seven insights into the late Mrs. Rogers.
Devoted wife of children’s TV personality Fred Rogers, a renowned concert pianist and one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved public figures, Joanne Rogers died on January 14 at the age of 92. In recent years, the world has come to know Joanne thanks to renewed interest in her husband’s life and principles.
Two film projects led the recent Mister Rogers Renaissance in popular culture: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” from director Morgan Neville — the most successful biographical documentary ever released — and Oscar-nominated “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers. When she came on to promote the films, late-night TV hosts enjoyed finding Joanne as kind, funny, and engaging as we figured Fred’s wife must be.
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Over 33 years, Fred produced 886 episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” that taught and affirmed generations of children. It took such dedication, upon returning home he would often take on the stern demeanor of King Friday whom he voiced on the show. She, in turn, was his Queen Sara, helping him to see the best in others and fight another day (born Sara Joanne Byrd, she found her first name too “stuffy” and dropped it).
Joanne Rogers, who married Fred Rogers in 1952 and remained by his side until his death in 2003, died Thursday at the age of 92
An author and pianist in her own right, she was among Pittsburgh’s most beloved public figures: https://t.co/1VA8ABvS4y
She loved my shirt when we met pic.twitter.com/cWdCUQMjtG
— Josh M Shepherd (@JoshMShep) January 15, 2021
In November 2019, I met Joanne briefly during an interview. By wearing a shirt depicting Fred, I got to hear her famous lively laugh. If Fred’s style and substance were deceptively simple, even more so his life partner. She had a big personality, yet often shunned the limelight. Writing as one of the millions impacted by their legacy, here are seven insights into the late Joanne Rogers.
1. She Loved to Laugh As Much As Fred Did
Joanne and Fred had a lighter side rarely seen in their public lives. In the definitive Rogers biography “The Good Neighbor,” Joanne recounted a story that became an inside joke between the two of them. A mutual friend of theirs owned a car upholstery shop. One day, a boisterous woman came in to the man, named Larry, to have her taxi cab seats fixed. When she came back days later, the comfort delighted her. “Larry, this makes my sweet ass smile,” said the woman.
