Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
IndependentsJul 11, 2019
Maine Retailer Enid Corey Dies at 93
A mother of seven, she opened Robert’s Jewelry with husband Robert Corey in 1955 and later ventured out on her own with a card and gift shop.
Madawaska, Maine—Enid Corey, who grew up in the retail business and opened a jewelry store and then a card shop, died July 3 following a brief illness.
She was 93.
Born Enid Sleeper on July 29, 1925 in Caribou, Maine, she was the daughter of Alma and Joseph Sleeper Sr., who owned Sleeper’s, the general store he opened in 1914 after emigrating from Lebanon to the United States. (Sleeper’s is still in operation today.)
She was 93.
Born Enid Sleeper on July 29, 1925 in Caribou, Maine, she was the daughter of Alma and Joseph Sleeper Sr., who owned Sleeper’s, the general store he opened in 1914 after emigrating from Lebanon to the United States. (Sleeper’s is still in operation today.)
Enid Corey
Corey spent her early years working side-by-side with her father at the store, which instilled within her a love for business that she never lost.
On Aug. 20, 1951, she married Robert Corey, whom she met while he was managing the Day’s Jewelers store in Caribou.
Three years later, with two children in tow and one more on the way, they moved north to Madawaska, Maine to pursue their dream of opening their own store.
Together, the Coreys established and built a successful business in Robert’s Jewelry, with their children—a brood that eventually numbered seven—working alongside them. Enid Corey was devoted to raising children with a strong work ethic and family values, and to setting her kids “on the right path.”
In 1978, she embarked on her own business venture, opening a card and gift store called Hi, Ma’s but some of her children remained in the jewelry business.
Son Robert runs Robert’s Jewelry in Madawaska, while son Jeff and daughter-in-law Kathy and son Jim own Day’s Jewelers, which they bought from the original owners in 1988.
Outside of work, Corey liked cooking and baking, and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Alma (Meelan) Sleeper; two sisters, one brother, and a grandson; and her husband of 67 years, Robert Corey, who died in February 2018 at the age of 90.
Corey is survived by her seven children: Jeffery (Kathy) of Winslow, Maine; Jolene (James) Cleland of Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada; Jean (David) Foster of Johns Island, South Carolina; Jayne Johnston (Randy Morrison, partner) of Bangor, Maine; Robert (Sylvie) Corey of Madawaska; James (Amy) Corey of Topsham, Maine; and Anne (Douglas) Cyr of Madawaska; two brothers and two sisters; and 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Services took place Monday at Lajoie Funeral Home in Madawaska.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Madawaska, St. Joseph’s Church in Sinclair, Maine, or Northern Light Hospice.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
