Arlene Iliesco

Arlene Iliesco on October 28, 2025. 

Arlene was born to Benjamin Spirt and Beatrice M. Salvin in Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia to complete the family that included her older sister Ruth Etta. She graduated from George Washington High School in Northeast Philadelphia and obtained Bachelors and Masters degrees in Elementary Education from Temple University and was a Presidents Scholar at Temple. At a young age Arlene had a dream of having a dog. Unfortunately, the dream was not realized. So, she turned her curiosity to the violin and developed into a talented musician. She played the clarinet in the high school marching band and also played the piano. But her primary interest was the violin. She was first chair in the second violin section and also head of the second violin section in the All City Senior Orchestra. In college, Arlene’s professional interest changed to teaching, and she developed into a well-loved elementary school teacher. She especially liked to use successful teaching methods that she remembered from her own student years. Once her professional life was established, she was able to realize her first dream, a dog! She was so happy that she felt John Denver’s lyric “Sunshine on my shoulder,” and named her first dog, a shih tzu, Sunshine. When Arlene purchased her second dog, she felt “I’m in the stars” and named her second shih tzu Moonbeam. Arlene started showing her dogs at dog shows when a top shih tzu handler noticed her skill and creativity. She agreed to work for him as a professional handler’s assistant, which she loved. She was energized by her love of dogs and devoted her free time to showing her dogs and caring for them. For a while, she bred her shih tzus and found the perfect owners to love the puppies. Arlene loved her summers in New England with her dogs while grooming dogs for professional handlers. She shared her retirement years with friends and especially caring neighbors. Throughout her life Arelene worked very hard to achieve what she wanted. This was true of the tenacity, strength and positivity with which she faced the difficult health challenges that stole her life.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Service on Thursday, October 30 at 1:00 PM precisely, Roosevelt Memorial Park Mausoleum, 2701 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose PA 19053. Shiva to be observed at the Berman residence. Contributions in her memory may be made to Shir Ami Congregation, 101 Richboro Newtown Road, Newtown PA 18940, or to a charity of the donor's choice.