Frances Joan Roger

10/20/2007

Frances Joan Roger, 77, of Housatonic, died Saturday at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Springfield on Nov. 28, 1929, daughter of Francis and Catherine Palmgren Dowd, she grew up in Lakeville, Conn., and graduated from Housatonic Valley High School at the age of 16 and Boston University at the age of 19. Mrs. Roger became employed by the WSBS radio station in 1968 as a sales manager and general manager. She also hosted the Joan Roger Show for many years, interviewing numerous actors and actresses, politicians, and authors. This list included James MacGregor Burns and Norman Mailer. She was the first female station manager in the Northeast and part owner of the local FM station. She retired in 2000. She also taught kindergarten for many years before joining the radio station. She was awarded the Woman of the Year in Berkshire County for outstanding business achievement, and was active in the community serving as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Stockbridge Road Association, and as a corporator at Berkshire Bank, among others. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and Scrabble, and was an accomplished pianist. Mrs. Roger and her husband, Leonce A. Roger Jr., were married Oct. 18, 1948, in Arlington, Va. Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, Leonce A. Roger III of Great Barrington and Frank Roger of Housatonic; a sister, Marcia Fischer of East Dennis; and two grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Graveside services for Frances Joan Roger, who died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, will be private. There are no calling hours. BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations in her memory may be made to the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad, the Great Barrington Police Dept. or Great Barrington Fire Dept., all in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Mrs. Roger was a loving grandmother to L. Travis Roger of Great Barrington and Jennilyn Roger of Housatonic. She also leaves her daughters-in-law, Gail (Leonce) and Lisa (Frank); her caregiver, Gabriela Salazar; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Patricia Schofield.

Obituaries

Celebrating Lives & Legacies

Frances Joan Roger

Memorials