Joanne Rogers, wife of Mister Rogers, passes away at 92

Joanne Rogers, widow of Fred Rogers, has died at the age of 92.

The two met while attending Rollins College in Florida. They moved to Pittsburgh in 1953 when Fred joined WQED. Years later, he would develop the children’s television show Mister Rogers Neighborhood, which ran for 33 years.

Fred Rogers died of stomach cancer in February of 2003 when he was 74-years-old.

Following Fred’s death, Joanne Rogers continued to honor his legacy in Pittsburgh and around the world.

[ "He really cared about people" Mrs. Rogers shares Fred's legacy ahead of new movie ]

In 2019, Mrs. Rogers celebrated the highly anticipated movie, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” that was based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod, the author of the famous article, “Can You Say...Hero?”

She was a classically-trained pianist who performed professionally nationwide and recorded two albums. Joanne taught at Chatham College’s Preparatory School, as well as several years at Carlow College in the 1970s.

Joanne Rogers Actress Rita Wilson, left, poses with Fred Roger's widow Joanne Rogers at a special screening of "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood" at the Henry R. Luce Auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Joanne Rogers NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: (L-R) Noah Harpster, Joanne Rogers, Marielle Heller and Micah Fitzerman-Blue attend "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood" New York Screening at Henry R. Luce Auditorium at Brookfield Place on November 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (MIKE COPPOLA/Getty Images)

Joanne Rogers PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 23: Joanne Rogers and former Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris pose for a photo with other family members during the U.S. Postal Service Dedication of the Mister Rogers Forever Stamp at WQED's Fred Rogers Studio on March 23, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Joanne Rogers Michelle Lyn Banta, second from left, the first recipient of the Fred Roger's Memorial Scholarship, poses with Joanne Rogers, left, Andrew J. Sale of Ernst & Young and David Newell, who plays Mr. McFeely in "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," during the presentation in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005. The scholarship was established by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to honor Fred Rodgers, the creator and long-time host of ÒMister Rogers' Neighborhood.Ó (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (JAE C. HONG/AP)

Joanne Rogers Joanne Rogers, the widow of the late Fred Rogers, of the PBS television program "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" addresses those gathered at the dedication of the statue of Fred Rogers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. The "Tribute to Children" site in Pittsburgh's North Shore Riverfront Park honors the life-long work of Fred Rogers, the childrens television program creator. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic/AP)

Joanne Rogers PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 23: Joanne Rogers attends the U.S. Postal Service Dedication of the Mister Rogers Forever Stamp at WQED's Fred Rogers Studio on March 23, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Joanne Rogers (Associated Press)

Joanne Rogers NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Joanne Rogers (L) and Matthew Rhys (C) attend "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood" New York Screening at Henry R. Luce Auditorium at Brookfield Place on November 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (MIKE COPPOLA/Getty Images)

Joanne Rogers BOSTON, MA - JUNE 01: Children's Champion Award UN Messenger of Peace Recipient Cellist Yo-Yo Ma receives his award from presenter Joanne Rogers during UNICEF Children's Champion Award Dinner at The Castle at Park Plaza on June 1, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images for UNICEF USA) (Scott Eisen)

Joanne Rogers LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 22: Joanne Rogers, wife of the late Fred Rogers speaks onstage at the 'Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood' panel during day 2 of the PBS portion of the 2012 Summer TCA Tour held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Joanne Rogers Joanne Rogers, center with sunglasses, the widow of the late Fred Rogers, of the PBS television program "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" sings with the TV show producer, Margy Whitmer, green jacket, her son John Rogers, left, and grandson 6-year-old Ian Rogers with the Pittsburgh skyline behind them at the dedication of the statue of Fred Rogers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. The "Tribute to Children" site in Pittsburgh's North Shore Riverfront Park honors the life-long work of Fred Rogers, the children's television program creator. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic/AP)

Joanne Rogers PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 23: Joanne Rogers pose for a photo along with students and staff during the U.S. Postal Service Dedication of the Mister Rogers Forever Stamp at WQED's Fred Rogers Studio on March 23, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Joanne Rogers WEST HOMESTEAD, PA - MAY 23: Joanne Rogers and WQED Board Chair Tom McGough attend a special screening of "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" on May 23, 2018 in West Homestead, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Focus Features) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Focus Features)

Joanne Rogers WEST HOMESTEAD, PA - MAY 23: Joanne Rogers attends a special screening of "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" on May 23, 2018 in West Homestead, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Focus Features) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Focus Features)

Joanne Rogers WEST HOMESTEAD, PA - MAY 23: Joanne Rogers and WQED President Deborah Acklin attend a special screening of "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" on May 23, 2018 in West Homestead, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Focus Features) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Focus Features)

Joanne Rogers BOSTON, MA - JUNE 01: Children's Champion Award UN Messenger of Peace Recipient Cellist Yo-Yo Ma poses for a photo with presenter Joanne Rogers during UNICEF Children's Champion Award Dinner honoring Yo-Yo Ma and Alli and Bill Achtmeyer at The Castle at Park Plaza on June 1, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images for UNICEF USA) (Scott Eisen)

WPXI Joanne Rogers Obit Joanne Rogers, widow of Fred Rogers, died peacefully on Jan. 14, 2021. (Cox Media Group/Cox Media Group)

We last heard from Joanne Rogers in October, when then Democratic-presidential candidate Joe Biden FaceTimed with her during a train stop in Latrobe.

Rogers leaves behind two sons, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.

Pittsburgh’s Mayor Bill Peduto released the following statement:

“Through her grace, humor and down-to-earth demeanor Joanne Rogers personified what we love about the City of Pittsburgh. 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.”

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