NY J01558

Margaret D. Williams, a Coney Island, Brooklyn resident and member of the girl group The Cookies, died on January 23, 2026, at age 83

As a member of The Cookies alongside Earl-Jean McCrea and Dorothy Jones, she recorded hits including "Chains" and "Don't Say Nothin'" that reached the Billboard Top 40 in the 1960s; "Chains" was later covered by The Beatles on their 1963 debut album

The Cookies were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and Williams continued performing throughout the U.S., Europe, and Spain until her death

Williams served 33 years with the New York City Department of Health, Prison Health Services, and was an active member of Union DC37, Chapter 1549

She remained active in the Coney Island community through her church choir at Coney Island Gospel Assembly Church and participation in the Coney Island History Project, including cutting the ribbon for the Boardwalk Memory Booth in 2005