Joanne and Fred Rogers love story: How a college romance turned into 50 years of wedded bliss
Joanne Rogers, the widow of Fred Rogers of the TV show 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' and an accomplished pianist, died on Thursday, January 14, at the age of 92. Fred Rogers Productions confirmed the news in a statement posted on the company's official Instagram handle that stated that the company was "deeply saddened by the passing". Now the internet wants to know Fred and Joanne's love story.
The statement posted on the Instagram handle praised Joanne for continuing her late husband's work as the chair of Fred Rogers Productions after Fred died of stomach cancer in 2003. The couple was married for more than 50 years, and Joanne continued to act as a surrogate for her husband's unique brand of kindness and compassion.
The statement read: "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."
Who was Joanne Rogers?
Born as Sara Joanne Byrd on March 9, 1928, in Jacksonville, Florida, she started the playing piano when she was five and earned a scholarship from Rollins College to study piano performance. Fred Rogers was her classmate at that time. And amid their studies, a relationship began between the two. "We didn't do much dating, as such. We all ran around in a group," she recounted in a 2001 interview. "But I think we thoroughly enjoyed each other's company, and he was a marvelous dancer, a fabulous dancer! So I would ask him to our sorority dances, and he would ask me to his fraternity dances." They became close enough that Joanne was introduced to Fred's family, who sometimes vacationed near the school.
Fred and Joanne's Love Story
In 1951, Fred graduated with Joanne in attendance. Then he headed to New York City to work for NBC while she continued her graduation. Joanne did make time to see Fred's parents while they were in Florida. In April 1952, he sent Joanne a letter asking her to marry him. She rushed to a payphone to respond to the proposal. However, she was nervous, so when Fred answered the phone she focused on some phone booth graffiti and greeted him by saying, "S**t". Fortunately, Fred laughed. She then agreed to marry him. They married in July 1952.
Joanne and Fred had two sons, named Jim, born in 1959, and John, born in 1961. She had stated, "We waited until we were married about seven years before our kids came along. And I've always been glad of that because we knew that the marriage was going to be okay." Joanne's music career was placed on hold for several years so she could concentrate on their children. Rogers displayed his usual patience with their sons, so Joanne became the family disciplinarian.
Joanne was involved with Fred's first PBS Show 'The Children’s Corner' in Pittsburgh, taught at Chatham College’s Preparatory School and taught music at Carlow College in the 1970s. She continued playing piano most of her life, and often performed with her friend and pianist Jeannine Morrison. The duo ended up recording two albums: "Duo - Piano Favorites' and 'A Virtuoso Duo-Piano Showcase'.