Silversmithing photo by Tara Burns

WBCA In the News

Anne Pierce Rogers was well-known community philanthropist

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

By Kristine Goodrich

In her younger years, Anne Pierce Rogers was a New York City reporter and writer for a national magazine. But her legacy will be her generosity and community involvement after giving up the big-city life to become a homemaker in Dellwood.

Known throughout the Twin Cities for her philanthropy, Rogers died Aug. 30 at age 78.

Rogers grew up in New Jersey and after attending Wellesley College, had a short-lived career writing for the New York Herald and Cosmopolitan magazine. But then she met her husband, John Rogers, and moved to Dellwood where she lived for more than 50 years and raised three children.

"Her family and grandchildren meant a lot to her," said her daughter-in-law, Deborah Rogers. "Her family was the center of her life."

She also had a close circle of longtime friends.

"She was so much of a friendly, outgoing person," said Nancy Harris, a friend of 50 years. "We all went out to dinner and the theater and other fun stuff together. I'm really going to miss her being here. We talked almost every night."

Rogers' openheartedness also extended far beyond her family and friends. She was an active member and financial supporter of many community organizations, including St. John in

the Wilderness Church, Minnesota Orchestra, Wellesley College and the Courage Center.

A crisis shelter in St. Paul is named in honor of Rogers. Part of the Tubman Family Alliance, the shelter has helped almost 5,000 woman and children since it opened in 1994.

"The children were Anne's number one concern," said Liz Johnson, the first director of the Anne Pierce Rogers Home. "She was always upbeat and that positive outlook was infectious with all the residents and staff."

"She was steadfastly supportive in every way, not wanting recognition," said Tubman Executive Director Beverly Dusso. "She exemplified our Midwestern humility with a generosity of spirit."

Many of Rogers' efforts went toward promoting the arts. She was a supporter of the White Bear Center for the Arts, Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

"We all at the art center feel like we have lost a friend," said White Bear Center for the Arts Executive Director Suzi Hudson. "She had such a legacy as a huge supporter of the arts in so many ways."

Rogers was one of the main financial contributors to the arts center, Hudson said, but she also contributed much more than money.

"She challenged me to reach new goals with the arts center," Hudson said. "She was the salt of the earth, a no- nonsense woman. She genuinely wanted to know about what we were doing and wanted to help.

One of her primary goals was providing more arts opportunities for children. Before she died she was working to coordinate a community arts project with the East Metro Women's Shelter.

"She was a real believer that art was important in children's lives," Hudson said.

On the morning she died, Hudson had a long conversation with Rogers about the future of the center.

"She was very excited and enthusiastic about the direction of the center," Hudson said. "I am so grateful for that last conversation with her -- to know that she believed the center is heading in the right direction."

Services for Rogers were Sept. 3 at St. John in the Wilderness Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, John and son, John Jr.

She is survived by sister, Joan Pierce; son, William (Deborah); daughter Lucy (Larry Grant); grandchildren Anne (Brad), Will (Dena) Lily, Kelley, Blue (Jennifer) and great-grandson Jonathan.

Memorial preferred to White Bear Center for the Arts and St. John in the Wilderness Church.

Kristine Goodrich can be reached at 651-407-1233 or vadnaisheightspress@shertel.net.

Copyright © 2005 Press Publications. All rights reserved.

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