Jacqueyln Ater

Rochester: 61, passed on September 12, 2014, surrounded by her loving friends and family. She is survived by Russell Ater, daughter Kelly Ater Rakeman (Michael) of Rockville Centre, NY, son Ian Ater (Jessica Wimett) of Keeseville, NY, and her three treasured granddaughters, Amaya Ater and Tess & Riley Rakeman. Also survived by her sister Sandra Shatzel, niece Elena Tomanovich, and by her extended network of family and cherished friends.



Jacque was born in Rochester on December 16, 1952, daughter of Raymond and Dorothy Shatzel and attended Holy Family Grammar School and St. Agnes High School. Jacque has continued to gather with these friends over the many years, enjoying frequent trips, parties, and dinners where they could all be together celebrating the longevity of their relationships. Jacque continued her education at both John Carroll University and Brockport State receiving a B.S. Degree in Speech Pathology with a teaching certification in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She completed her Master's Degree in Speech Pathology at Geneseo State in 1976.



In addition to her primary field of providing Speech Language Pathology services, Jacque also functioned as a health care educator. She leaves behind her a community that is forever changed by her visionary approach to health care management. She was founder and director of the Developmental Unit and the Voice and Swallowing Center at Genesee Hospital.



She was a feeding and swallowing consultant to BOCES and the Happiness House as well as many school districts. She has been an adjunct professor at Nazareth College of Rochester's Department of Speech Pathology since 1987. She has also been on the faculty of the Alzheimer's Association and has presented to many organizations, including the Chautauqua Institute.



At the time of retirement, she was providing acute care services for Unity Health services and consulting and serving St. Ann's, Monroe Community Hospital, and various nursing homes.



She has provided consulting services in the development of Speech Pathology programs at Newark Wayne Community Hospital and FF Thompson Hospital. She is the founder of communicATER, a service providing health care coaching, education and speaker services. Her articles have appeared in a number of professional publications and she was recognized with the Certificate of Merit for lifetime achievement and contribution to the profession in 2010. Up until as recently as 2012, Jacque had maintained a current ACE Award from ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association), exemplifying excellence in the field of Speech Pathology.



If life is but the dance of reality, than Jacque's style was most certainly her beloved salsa. Jacque kept things moving ever forward by quickly shifting and adjusting to the music of life, keeping control with a level head, and leading from the rhythm of her heart. She enjoyed dancing, skiing, traveling, and entertaining. Spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, brought her the utmost joy.



Jacque put her heart into everything and everyone she met throughout her life. Countless people have been influenced by her and their lives will forever be changed because she was a part of them.



A celebration of Jacque's life will be held on September 19th from 3:00-7:00 pm at Farrell~Ryan Funeral Home 777 Long Pond Road (between English & Latta). Funeral Mass 10:00 am September 20th at Spiritus Christi Church 121 N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester, NY 14614.



In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to one of the following organizations that were extremely close to her heart: The Scott Spino Foundation, Lifetime Care - Hildebrandt Hospice Center, or Spiritus Christi Church.