Margaret Coggins

Margaret L. Coggins ( Peggy Lou Foster), died at home of natural causes on April 19, 2025 at the age of 93. By all accounts, Peggy was the coolest. In her heyday she drove convertible Cadillacs and wore stilettos and magnificent dresses to go out “cabereting”. She was one sharp lady. She saw a kindred spirit in Betty Boop and worked the night
shift as a waitress where she knew every customer by name and drink of choice. She taught her grandchildren to play blackjack and 500 Rummy. She was known for her life directives, the most often expressed was “ When they wear black you wear white; when they wear stripes you wear polka dots “. Having left home at only 15 years of age, Peggy took pride in her independence and self-sufficiency at a time when it was controversial for a woman to live her own life on her own terms. She most enjoyed that her hard earned money was hers to spend as she determined, on extravagant gifts for loved ones or to
support friends and families through hard times. There are many in this world whose current happiness and success are directly connected to Peggy’s generosity and support. She regularly donated to many charities, accumulating quite a collection of greeting cards, return address labels and dream catchers. Her heart particularly went out to those that helped children, grateful that her children were healthy and fed, and those that helped the American Indian communities. Her beloved grandfather, Beep, often stated that he was ¼ Sioux Indian, and she always felt that they “ got a raw deal”. Well into her eighties, she offered to drive the elderly neighbors home from the grocery store, refusing to take no for an answer. Peggy doted on her daughters and taught them that fun was always worth the money spent. She often told the story of how her late ex-husband who worked at the warehouses of Sears-Roebuck overheard a co-worker declare that some “crazy broad” just bought 3 very expensive baby dolls and matching cradles, to which he replied, “ that crazy broad is my wife.” Peggy saved all year long for annual summer long stays in Wildwood for her daughters and her own mother, Dorothy, whom she adored beyond measure. She prominently hung a framed photograph of her and her mother in the entrance of her home and she wore a necklace with an engraved photo off them together, which she clung to for comfort or reassurance whenever she felt the need. Peggy fiercely loved everyone in her life. In her gaze or in her embrace, you felt that no one had ever loved you so much and so unconditionally. The same love was extended to everyone that her daughters and grandchildren brought home. Once, enroute to a swimming outing at the cove, she made a screeching u-turn on the Tacony Bridge after realizing that she had forgotten to pick up one of her daughter's friends. Showing up was her love language. Peggy was a most devoted and doting Nana and Great Nana. She lit up at the sight of any one of her 4 grandchildren or 7 great grandchildren. Even as
movement became challenging, she pushed herself to play “beauty salon”, “Hawaii”, and all manner of card and board games on the floor with her great grandchildren. She believed in her grandchildren’s ability to achieve greatness,
but only pushed that they pursue their heart’s desire, often advising with great
certainty, “Just be happy, honey, that’s what matters”.
Peggy is survived by her sister Ruth Vetrulli; daughters Debbie (Michael) Boensch, Karen Axelrod, Sherry (David) McBride; four grandchildren, Sunshine (Jonathan) McBride, Karina (Jerry) McNulty, Crystal (Justin) Axelrod, Brett (Kristy) Axelrod; and seven great grandchildren, Owen, Teagan, Molly, Austin, Rose, Ember and Amelia. She will be missed every day by her entire family and all those whose lives she touched. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Peggy’s life on Friday April 25, from
10:00 – 11:30 am at McCafferty Funeral Home, 6709 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, Pa.
If you would like to honor Peggy through a charitable donation, please consider
the following organizations which empower women and support families through
life’s most difficult challenges.
● St. Jude’s Family Research Center. https://www.stjude.org/
● Ronald McDonald House. https://mhc.org/
● Dress for Success Philadelphia.
https://greaterphiladelphia.dressforsuccess.org/
● Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-southeastern-
pennsylvania