Wendy Davis, the longtime downtown business owner behind Darklyn Beads & Beyond, has died from injuries she suffered in last week’s gas-related explosion, her family confirmed on Facebook.

Wendy was critically injured on Thursday, Dec. 4, when a blast erupted inside her shop shortly after utility crews patched a gas leak outside the building. Eustis Fire Chief Michael Swanson previously said the city was notified of a gas leak and the explosion occurred after the leak was crimped off. Wendy was still inside the building when the explosion occurred and had to be airlifted to the hospital in critical condition.

Her family announced her passing in a statement: “It is with heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved mother. She was love, strength, and light in our lives, and she will be deeply missed. We are leaning on family and the kindness of our community during this difficult time. We kindly ask that our privacy be respected. Service information will be shared when ready.”

Wendy was the owner of Darklyn Beads & Beyond, a fixture in downtown Eustis for more than 20 years.

Beads and gemstones were woven into Wendy’s life from the time she was eight years old, when she and her mother created jewelry for department stores. Her grandmother taught her to sew and embroider, with Wendy adding beads to her clothing even then. Her lifelong love of beading evolved into rock carving, polishing and gemstone work, which she shared through classes in beading, carving and weaving.

Wendy became known for seeking out rare and unusual stones, including enhydro rocks with ancient water trapped inside and beads carved by centuries-old tools. She often said that every stone “tells you what it wants to be,” and she took joy in teaching children about rocks and the history behind them.

The building that housed her shop was declared a total loss, and the cause of the explosion remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal, People’s Gas and Eustis officials.