Longest running radio psychologist in U.S., Dr. Joy Browne, dead at 71

A talk radio host, well known to WDUN listeners and those across the country for her psychological advice to callers dealing with problems, died Saturday at the age of 71.

 

Dr. Joy Browne, whose program filled the weekday noon to 2:00 p.m. time slot on fm 102.9 WDUN for the past couple of years died in New York City according to TALKERS Magazine.

 

The magazine reported that Browne's passing was confirmed from a Facebook post by her sister, Alannah Sinclaire, and a conversation between TALKERS Publisher Michael Harrison and Browne's brother, David Oppenheim.

 

"The exact cause is unknown at this time, but Sinclaire writes that she was on the phone speaking with Dr. Joy 'chatting about movie reviews, recipes and favorite memories from a recent birthday party for our 95-year-old mom when the phone suddenly disconnected; her heart had stopped as well,'" TALKERS reported.

 

Browne's career in radio spanned about 30 years with Genesis Communications or GCN handling her most recent syndication.

 

"Right now I am somewhat dumbstruck. 71 is not old, and she certainly was a vibrant woman. Joel (Williams) and I interviewed her a couple of years back when we put her on the fm. Prior to that, she actually visited our studios for an interview on the morning show in the late 90’s when we ran her show," WDUN and WGGA Director of Radio Operations Bill Maine said.

 

Browne received her advanced degrees from Northeastern University in Boston.  She began her talk radio career in the same city, going syndicated in the early 1990's, according to TALKERS.  Browne was ranked #25 on TALKERS 2016 Heavy Hundred, a list of the most important radio talk show hosts in the country. 

 

"Her accomplishments, aside from radio, included working for NASA. She was also an author and a movie and theatre critic. She also started an international charitable effort, the Joy to the World Foundation," Maine said.

 

GCN began "best of" programs from Browne's catalog on Monday.  Maine said the process would soon get underway to decide what programming to fill the time slot with on the fm signal at the Gainesville-based Jacobs Media Corporation.  Jacobs Media is the parent company of AccessWDUN.com.