At the end of June and in July, she opened the store for a few weekends as part of her “retirement sale,” where visitors could look through all the inventory, pick up a treasure or two, and reminisce.

“Calm down,” Miner announced. “Buy some merch, buy a little memory, enjoy it. If you don’t smell like perfume, I might give you a hug.”

She had originally planned to keep the store open on weekends until August, but Miner’s health, which she openly admitted was not exactly rosy, deteriorated a few weeks ago.

Miner, who her husband Bruce said had recently been admitted to a hospice, died Monday evening.

Mary D’s Antiques, named after its former owner, is a Westerly-Pawcatuck institution that existed under the Miners’ ownership for 34 years and rose from the ashes of a devastating fire in 2013.

“She put her heart and soul into it,” Bruce said Monday.

In March 2013, a fire ravaged the grand old building on Commerce Street that originally housed their store, restaurant and apartments.

As the fire raged, television cameras caught Miner nearly collapsing, devastated as she realized something so much a part of her life was on fire. Later, she sat in her kitchen, wondering what she and Bruce would do next.

“Players play. We played for our lives for over 20 years. I lost. You keep going. You keep going,” Miner said at the time.

Ultimately, Miner said, most of the paper goods and artwork, as well as some furniture, were destroyed. She was able to salvage most of the other items, many of them on consignment from dealers, and soon had a contract to reopen at 33 High St., where the store has been ever since.

Bruce Miner said Monday that there is one last opportunity to visit Mary D’s. The store’s doors will be opened for an auction of its entire contents, scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 18, starting at 11 a.m.

The store has placed first in the Sun’s reader choice polls more than once. The store received a certificate from the American Flag Committee for displaying the “Old Glory” daily and “demonstrating exemplary patriotism and unwavering loyalty to our nation, our veterans and our loved ones.”

In later years, Miner became a social media maven, using Facebook to promote her downtown store by posting videos and pictures of the goods sold there. In one, she showed local historical photos, an old Westerly phone book from 1956, and local luggage tags. In another, she showcased teacups and fine china.

It seemed like there was something for everyone.

“Mary D’s Antiques is a haven for antique lovers and those simply looking for treasures that will take them back in time,” said Lisa Konicki, president of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Lois and Bruce Miner, the store has been a downtown institution for over 40 years.”

Lois was known for her bubbly personality, sense of humor and deft negotiating skills as she invited clients to “talk straight to the point” with her, Konicki said.

During her time as business manager, Miner was also a force in the community, appearing at the Relay for Life fundraiser for cancer research and treatment each year, handing out candy to children on Halloween, and hosting food collection baskets for the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center at her store.

To the surprise of everyone who visited the store, Miner was also open and never afraid to voice her opinion. It’s a style that, Bruce said, appealed to many people but stood out to others.

“She was genuine,” he said. “She always said what she thought, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.”

He recalled their efforts to create more business-friendly parking spaces downtown, a fight that some found offensive but they believed was good for the city.

“People were giving her a hard time, but she thought it was good for the city,” he said. She also called on public officials to push for improvements to the street and sidewalks.

“She went to WBLQ and embarrassed the city about redoing the streets,” he said. But at the same time, “a lot of people loved her.”

This is evident from the hundreds of comments posted about her since the news of her death, most of which called her a lovely woman who was a joy to gossip about or have heartfelt conversations about.

This included customers and antique dealers from all over the world who stopped by her small-town shop.

“She could talk to the Pope. She had a good feel for people and could talk to anyone. We met people from all over the world,” Bruce said.

In 2002, 100 out-of-state protesters marched through downtown Westerly-Pawcatuck, delivering their blunt anti-abortion message to pedestrians and motorists.

“This is disgusting,” she said at the time. “I came through here with my grandchildren. I wish I had a sign asking these protesters how many children they have adopted. It’s nobody’s business who has an abortion.” She yelled at the group to go home.

“She never held back,” said her friend Mary Scialabba. “She spoke the truth and not to be mean or rude. But she spoke about things as they really were. She will be missed in the community.”

Miner was very interested in politics and civic affairs.

“She wanted to know who the players were and was very involved in the city,” said Scialabba, a city council member.

Lois and Bruce Miner “became like family to us,” Scialabba said. “Other people knew them longer than I did, but we definitely developed a nice friendship outside of politics as well.”

Bruce, her husband of 45 years, said they met while both were working at a shoe factory in Laconia, NH, and were married after just three months. Lois is originally from Franklin, NH, while he was born here.

“She was a cheeky redhead, just adorable,” he said.

In one of her final videos, released by the Chamber on June 29, Miner expressed her gratitude for the support her small shop received at both locations during its time in the city.

“I love you all. Thank you for decorating my door for 34 years,” she said.