Apr 26, 1933 — Sep 22, 2026
Margaret F. “Peggy” (MacKay) Cox, age 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, surrounded by family after a brief illness. The sixth of seven children born to Frank D. and Margaret S. MacKay, Peggy was raised in Greenwood, Massachusetts, graduating from Wakefield High School in 1950. Married to the late William S. “Billy” Cox in 1953, the family moved to Reading in 1961.
Beloved mother of Nancy Cox Davidge (Bill) and Ellen Emmons (Bob); grandmother of Allison Castaldi, Rachel Tavoletti (Jason), Lauren Emmons; great-grandmother of Grace Castaldi; and sister to Janet Thompson (Howard). She was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Ann “Polly” Seguin, and her grandchildren, Daniel and Amy Seguin. Peggy was also predeceased by her siblings Donald MacKay, Kenneth (Pat) MacKay, Jean Longfellow, Patricia Cotty, and Billie MacKay.
Peggy was a familiar and welcoming presence to many people in Reading and beyond. She was an active member of the Reading Council for Girls, a long-time Girl Scout troop leader, and often remembered for her many years working at the Hitching Post Gift Shop.
Peggy’s strength and courage during difficult periods of her life, and her commitment to keeping her body and mind active, inspired many. At her 90th birthday party, the family shared Peggy’s tips for aging well, including: Get fresh air every day; dress for the weather, not the calendar; stay strong by walking, taking the stairs, or joining an exercise class. Read a book. Don’t text; talk to a person every day. And, apply sunscreen, moisturize, and drink lots of water.
Visiting hours will be at the Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (cor. of Woburn St.) Reading on Sunday, September 27, from 4:00-7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 5 Bryant Street, Wakefield, on Monday, September 28, at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Polly Cox Seguin Memorial Fund of the Reading Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 492, Reading, MA. For the online guestbook, visit www.douglassfuneralhome.com
