DOG GROOMER IS VICTIM CLIENTS TOLD OF DEATH.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - Sandra Roth arrived for her dogs' grooming appointment on Friday morning, but to her surprise Professional Grooming by Lianne was closed.

A neighboring businesswoman broke the news.

Lianne Levenson, 51, of Canyon Country, the owner, was one of four people killed along Soledad Canyon Road, and one of five killed in Santa Clarita this week.

``It's was just shocking and horrific - absolutely horrific,'' Roth said after hearing the news. ``You don't expect this.''

Levenson was killed shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday as she attempted to make a left turn from River Circle Road onto westbound Soledad Canyon Road, where Hector Guzman was traveling eastbound driving a semi truck carrying lawn merchandise. The vehicles collided.

Levenson and an assistant, James Woolsey, were on their way to work. Both were taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Woolsey was critically injured and remains hospitalized.

Authorities said one of the two drivers traveled through a red light. The crash is under investigation.

``I've known Lianne since she opened her first shop,'' Roth said. ``She treated pets with great respect. She was a kind, giving person, a real professional.''

Levenson paid special attention in caring for animals and always gave each creature personal and individual attention, Roth said.

``The dogs loved her,'' she added. ``They always flocked to her.''

Family members said Levenson developed her love for animals, especially dogs, as a child.

``Her passion was animals,'' said Lianne Levenson's mother, Kay Levenson. ``Because of her attitude, they loved her.''

Levenson graduated from Van Nuys High School and went on to Valley College before moving to the Santa Clarita Valley and starting her business in 1992 in Agua Dulce. She soon moved to a building on Sierra Highway and, in a short time, she built a large clientele and gained the respect of pet owners valleywide.

In December, she moved into a new facility to give her furry clients more room to roam while she worked.

``She was one of the nicest people I've ever met,'' said Paul Pursley, 34, who had been renting a room from Lianne Levenson for the past three months. ``She loved animals and everybody loved her. She's going to be missed very much.''

Lianne Levenson is the neighbor and friend of Larry Piesco, a Los Angeles police officer who was killed along the same roadway several days earlier.

Lianne Levenson told the Daily News on Monday she was mourning the death of her friend, with whom she shared a common alleyway. The Los Angeles police officer was killed the morning before. He was only days away from retirement.

Neighbors and friends said Piesco and Lianne Levenson were very close and often spent time with other neighbors.

``It's been a rough week,'' Pursley said. ``Everyone here is just devastated.''

THE DETAILS

--Memorial Services for Larry Piesco --Where: Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, 101 Wilbur Road, Thousand Oaks --When: 10 a.m. Saturday --For information, call [phone] --Burial will follow.

CAPTION(S):

4 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) A lily is placed in the mail slot at the late Lianne Levenson's grooming shop.

(2 -- color) Sandra Roth didn't learn of Lianne Levenson's death until Friday, when she brought her dogs.

(3 -- 4) Renee Bryan, owner of the complex where Lianne Levenson's business operated, comforts a saddened Sandra Roth, at right. Levenson, above, was killed Thursday, the fifth local auto fatality this week.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

Box:

THE DETAILS (see text)