Alene Nachsin

Alene was well-known and beloved in the community and beyond for her work with pets of all kinds. As a young woman she worked as a veterinarian assistant, and then at Martin's aquarium and pet shop, and later as a dog groomer.  Around the end of 2003, she opened DoGroom, her own dog grooming shop on Montgomery Ave. in Elkins Park. Her shop was alive with a variety of animals, such as parrots, cats, bearded dragon lizards, snakes, and turtles. The shelves and walls of her shop were filled with photos, figurines, pet toys, and various other animal-themed items. She established a reputation for precise and careful grooming. People from all around sought her out, not only for her expertise in grooming, but for her extensive knowledge of dogs and cats in particular. People came to her for advice on diet, training, health issues, and vet recommendations for their pets, and they would bring their children by just to see and learn about her collection of animals.

For many years she was also involved in animal rescue, helping to place stray, abandoned, or abused dogs and cats in loving homes. With the great help of one of her friends, many of these animals were rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico.

Alene was born on July 19, 1949, in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia, and spent the rest of her life in and around the Philadelphia area and surrounding suburbs. Around the middle of July 2023, she developed a heart condition that forced her to close her business. True to her generous nature, she gave away pet food, dog crates, pet carriers, toys, bowls, and numerous other items she had collected in her shop over the years.

Alene was a familiar figure in Elkins Park for over 40 years. She is survived by her brothers, Neil and Jay, her sons, Zachary and Jordan, her daughter-in-law, Sylvania, and her beloved grandchildren, Sabrina, Kyle, and Spencer.