MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Employees of a Downtown Marquette business are grieving the death of their boss and the business’s owner. The Northern Michigan University School of Art & Design is asking the community to offer those employees support.
Managers of Beth Millner Jewelry on Washington Street in Marquette confirmed that owner Beth Millner died last weekend.
To support the employees affected by Beth’s loss, the NMU School of Art and Design faculty and staff have started a GoFundMe. The goal of the fundraiser, according to the fundraiser’s description, is to “alleviate some of their financial burden” and ensure the employees “have the resources to take care of themselves during this time.”
For now, as employees navigate many uncertainties, the store has been closed. A notice on the business’s website says any orders already placed will be canceled and refunded.
Beth Millner Jewelry staff shared their grief and thanked the Marquette community for its support in a statement sent to TV6, saying:
“The Beth Millner Jewelry family wants to thank the incredible community for the support. From the flowers in front of the shop’s door, to this organized GofundMe, our community is breaking our fall. We didn’t just lose our jobs or a boss. Marquette didn’t just lose a business or an artist. We lost a presence that can never be replaced.
Beth wrote this post when she was on sabbatical and after her death, it (has) really felt like the perfect words for what we are going through, and what we feel in this time of great loss and tremendous gratitude:
‘These butterflies were being pummeled in the waves on Lake Superior today and Lake Huron in the spring, and I simply put my finger near them and they climbed onto me. The symbology for me is that even if you feel like the waves are grinding you into the sand and you are delicate like a butterfly, you can still survive and thrive with a little warmth and gentle care’.”
The GoFundMe has a goal of $10,000. Fundraiser organizers said Millner was a celebrated alum of the NMU Art and Design program and mentored both current and former students throughout the years.
Beth Millner Jewelry is known for its in-house made jewelry that primarily used recycled metals and locally-sourced gems and stones. It was named Michigan Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year in 2020.
Every year, the business released a series of specially-designed fundraiser pendants, from which a portion of the proceeds benefitted local nonprofits. Work like this was recognized in 2022, in conjunction with Millner’s 15th year in business, when she received the Community Foundation of Marquette County’s Catalyst Award, which honors the efforts of those who build community through volunteerism and philanthropy and inspire others to do the same.
At the time of the award, her fundraiser pendants had raised a total of $50,000 for nonprofit organizations.
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