Margaret (Peg) Mary Cokins

Margaret (Peg) Mary Cokins, 77, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin passed away at home September 15th, 2026 after a courageous 22 year battle with bladder cancer. She was surrounded by her husband of 57 years, George Cokins, and daughters Carrie Knight and Jackie Rood.

Peg was born in 1948 to Edward and Barbara McCullough and was the middle child of five children. From early on, faith, family, friends, laughter, and music were central themes in her life. Peg was a natural born entertainer who loved to share her joy. (She even told her daughters she wanted her last breath to be a laugh.) She spent her childhood with her best friends…dancing in the front yard at age five for passersby on Highway 50, and “dazzling" lake-goers with self-choreographed waterski and ice skating shows throughout her youth.

Peg grew up working at her father’s business, McCullough’s Pharmacy and Gifts in downtown Lake Geneva along with her four beloved and supportive siblings: Jim, Ann, Pat, and Bob.

At Badger High School, Peg was Freshman Class President, a cheerleader, competed “at state” with the music department, and performed in musicals including The Sound of Music. (Little did she know decades later she’d once again don a nun’s habit in Nunsense musicals!)

Peg studied Speech Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she quickly got involved with sorority life and her future husband, George Cokins of Park Ridge, Illinois. She met George on the steps of the Memorial Union (during Welcome Week) after he spotted a beautiful girl who didn’t realize she needed money for a ticket into the Union mixer. The rest, as they say, was history.

In Delta Gamma Sorority, Peg served as Social Chair, Rush Chair, Humorology performer, and a leader/performer in the DG Combo. She inspired her sister, daughters, nieces, and granddaughters to follow in her DG footsteps.

Peg and George married during Peg’s senior year in college and celebrated 57 years of marriage just prior to her passing. Peg will be remembered as an exceptional wife and mother who travelled near and far to assist, support, and cheer on her family. She brought joy to the mundane and used laughter as medicine.

Professionally, Peg was a speech therapist in southeast Wisconsin schools for CESA 2 and Big Foot area schools including Woods, Traver, Walworth, Reek, and Fontana. Not only did she make a difference in the lives of students…she made lifelong friends of her fellow staff members.

When not working, Peg volunteered on the preschool board, taught CCD (Catholic religious education), and was the president of the Jaycettes.

Peg returned to her love of music after her children left the nest…becoming a cantor in the Catholic Church, joining church and community choirs, singing with Sweet Adelines, and performing in musicals in Arizona…the latter had her tap dancing and roller skating as a nun in Nunsense (at age 62 & 63)! One of Peg’s last wishes was to co-cantor (sing) “one more time” with daughter, Carrie, at Church…which she fulfilled six weeks prior to her passing, surrounded by three generations of family members and many friends.

Peg and George were the volunteer coordinators for “Music by the Lake” at George Williams College for 12 years. When the college was sold and the program ended, they happily became volunteers at the Belfry Theater.

Peg rekindled her love of tennis in retirement, which led her to precious friends in Wisconsin and Arizona. Peg was even known to hit the tennis court the morning after chemotherapy to burn off chemo fog. She played on a 4.0 USTA team for a bit, but preferred the joy, laughter, and camaraderie of playing good tennis with good friends.

Peg loved spending quality time with family and friends (including the “Laughing Ladies”) while walking the lake shore path, biking, and kayaking. Peg continued her “annual waterski” until age 70 when neuropathy from chemo made it too difficult.

When asked how she survived the dark days of cancer for 22 years, Peg’s answer was always the same: FAITH. Her unwavering belief in God lifted her spirits and carried her through whatever life presented. Despite repeated hardships, she basked in joy and gratitude for the countless gifts she was given from above.

Not only did Peg fight cancer for herself, she fought for others. She was part of the clinical trials that led to FDA approval of Padcev…the biggest breakthrough in bladder cancer treatment in 30 years. That treatment led to her cancer status of NED (No Evidence of Disease) for five years. Her story has been nothing short of miraculous and countless doctors were shocked over the years by her health and longevity after a Stage IV bladder cancer diagnosis.

Peg has openly shared her cancer journey in articles and podcasts. She served on steering committees for Pfizer, was a keynote speaker for doctors and researchers, and was featured in the “Let’s Talk Bladder Cancer” video series. She was often sought out for counsel and comfort by those faced with a cancer diagnosis.

In deep gratitude to Dr. Josh Lang and the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Peg launched a fundraiser for her 70th birthday to raise research money “instead of birthday cards or gifts.” Her goal in 2018 was small. Eight years later the fund has brought in over $72,000 in research money. The work is far from over and her mission continues today.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to her fund:

In Memory of Peg Cokins

Peg’s mission to eradicate bladder cancer also led her to donate her body to the University of Wisconsin in hopes her suffering could help lead to a cure.

Peg was preceded in death by her parents, Edward McCullough and Barbara (Voss) McCullough. She is survived by her husband, George Cokins, daughters Carrie (Aaron) Knight and Jackie (Jeffrey) Rood, grandchildren Kallie Knight, Weston Rood, Brady Knight and Wylie Rood, siblings Jim (Maryann) McCullough, Ann (Robert) Soderstrom, Pat (Peter) King, and Bob (Sharon) McCullough, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Peg’s love and gratitude for her siblings ran deep. She enjoyed spending time and celebrating milestones with them throughout the years. Despite the circumstances of cancer and treatments, she cherished time in the car, at appointments, and at treatments with her siblings. They provided countless meals, “the” freshly squeezed orange juice that carried her through her last days, as well as prayed, cried, and laughed with her.

A Funeral Mass will be held October 20th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Benedict Church in Fontana, Wisconsin, preceded by Visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. A celebratory lunch to honor Peg’s life will follow Mass.

A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported Peg in her life and cancer journey.

To share a memory of your time with Peg please proceed to the bottom of the obituary under Guest Book where you can submit your post.

Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting the Cokins family