Barrel Beryl in Love & Support Sleeping Bear Surf

Around August 12, 2022, Beryl Skrocki—co-founder & co-owner of Sleeping Bear Surf in Empire, Michigan—was diagnosed with Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, a rare form of cancer that had reemerged primarily in her liver. Heartbreakingly, two months later, in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 13, Beryl’s ever-enduring soul took flight on her next journey.

Her family wrote, “She was held and surrounded by such a profound, infinite love from us all. As her final breath filled us, the skies opened, rain fell, and Mother Earth wept, too. Her spirit lives on amidst the elements; zoom-vrooming through the wind, frolicking in the waves, boogying amidst the trees, and spreading her warmth through the flames of an eternal fire. She has brightened the shine of the moon, the sun, and the stars. Her dazzling light will continue to guide us, always.”

Through Beryl’s diagnosis, treatment, and passing, her family (Frank, Ella, Reiss, and Annabel) was by her side, providing care around the clock to ensure Beryl had the very best care possible. As the Skrocki family rallied around Beryl with everything they had, Sleeping Bear Surf—Michigan’s first full-service surf shop, owned and operated by the Skrockis since 2004—has understandably taken a backseat.

To support Frank, Ella, Reiss, Annabel, and Sleeping Bear Surf during this unimaginably difficult moment, friends of the family and shop have set up this GoFundMe page. Together, we want to embrace and support the Skrockis and Sleeping Bear Surf—allowing them to fully focus on what they want and need right now without worrying about sustaining the business.

If you know the Skrockis, you know full well they are a family that radiates love, warmth, kindness, compassion, care, and the brightest, most positive, most passionate light. Beryl was central to this. Beryl exemplified this without limits, as do Frank, Ella, Reiss, and Annabel. The Skrockis have always embraced their community, and now, it’s time for that same community—all of us—to embrace them. They are the heart and soul of this community, and right now, they need us.

If you would like to financially support the Skrocki family and Sleeping Bear Surf during this difficult season of life, you can do so through this GoFundMe page. Ella and Annabel will be the financial administrators and will withdraw all funds. Between business needs / bills (small businesses often do not have the capacity for medical leave, caretaker leave, bereavement leave, etc.), medical bills, and their own health & well-being, we will allow Frank, Ella, Reiss, and Annabel to determine how best to use the money raised.

If you would like to nourish the family with meals, a Meal Train has been organized for the Skrockis via this link: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/2eo607

Thank you for loving on and supporting the Skrocki family ❤️