URGENT UPDATE: Peggy Cooper Poindexter, a trailblazer for women in the defense sector, has passed away at the age of 76 due to complications from surgery related to cancer. She died on October 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, including her husband of 47 years, Jeffry Poindexter, and daughters, Allison Balin and Kathryn Lager.
Born on February 8, 1949, in Shamokin, PA, Peggy grew up in a close-knit family that valued education and community involvement. A graduate of Muhlenberg College and Cal State Long Beach, she dedicated her life to empowering women in professional roles, particularly within the Department of Defense. Her career included pivotal positions in the Air Force and NASA, culminating in her retirement as a Senior Executive at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.
Peggy was not only an accomplished professional but also a devoted wife and mother. She instilled a love for cooking and family values in her daughters, ensuring they enjoyed meaningful experiences together. Known for her warmth and generosity, Peggy was actively involved in her community, recently serving as President of the AAUW in Incline Village, NV, where she launched numerous scholarship initiatives and a popular cooking club.
Her family has organized a celebration of her life, set for Sunday, November 2nd at 11 AM at Burnt Cedar Beach in Incline Village. This event will honor Peggy’s legacy as a kind, nurturing matriarch who profoundly impacted everyone around her.
Peggy Cooper Poindexter leaves behind a legacy of dedication to public service, family, and community engagement. As friends and family gather to remember her, her contributions to advancing women’s roles in the workforce and her love for her family will continue to inspire many.
Authorities and those who knew her are encouraged to share their memories and tributes as the community mourns the loss of a remarkable woman.
