Beth Jekanowski

Beth's first experience on Nantucket Island was when she was very young growing up in Vermont and her family visited her Uncle Phil Jekanowski. Uncle Phil was the Piano man at the White Elephant. Her uncle married Elizabeth and they were well known for singing together at the White Elephant, the Harbor House and the Jared Coffin House. Phil and Elizabeth blessed the family with two sons, which is when the roots on Nantucket began to be established. Beth's sister Kelli summered on Nantucket during college and stayed with Uncle Phil and Elizabeth. Her first summer, she met her future husband Gary Trainor who owned the "Jewel of the Isle". During college, Beth stayed with Kelli and Gary and managed "the Jewelry Box" which was on Centre Street. "The Jewelry Box" was the first space Kelli and Gary opened together in town. It was so much fun to work with Kelli and Gary as their business and family began to grow. Kelli designed and created the first Nantucket Basket Bracelet. We sold that very first bracelet together, finishing each other's sentences. Kelli had two boys and a girl, very close in age, so working and caring for the family were a way of our island life. Since we all loved the island, and the new niece and nephews, Beth's parents and her younger sister Lisa, also moved to the island. Lisa had two boys and a girl. Nantucket quickly became the "extended family home" throughout the year. Beth moved to New York City after graduating from the University of New Hampshire and had two girls. Shortly after her second daughter's arrival, Beth moved to the island year-round in 2005 to be with her family. Beth had acquired an undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire in Psychology with a minor in Business in 1996. After college, Beth moved to New York City and took courses with the Gemological Institute of America and worked for a high-end Jeweler on 5th Avenue. Beth left that 5th Avenue Jeweler to work with a private corporate jeweler that was referral based on Madison Avenue between 47th and 48th St. Beth switched Jewelers so she could have the flexibility of visiting her family on-island, since they were so important to her. When Beth decided to have children, she changed directions and worked at P.S 6 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Beth then pursued her master's degree in elementary education at Hunter College. Beth had her first daughter in May of 2000. Beth managed to graduate magna cum laude from Hunter College while working full time and raising her daughter in June of 2002. Beth's family has now moved on from living on the island. Beth remains on-island with a deeply rooted love for it. Beth enjoys helping others obtain their dream of owning their Nantucket Island Home.