Obituary of Dawn K. Vogler-Elias

Dawn Vogler-Elias

Irondequoit: Peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the age of 45, after a courageous battle with Cholangiocarcinoma.  Dawn is survived by her loving and devoted husband of nearly 20 years, Dennis Elias; the light and joy of her life her beloved children, Adeline and Henry Elias;  her devoted parents, William and Karen Vogler; brother, David (Mary) Vogler; mother-in-law, Anna (Jeff) Fisher; father-in-law, Christos Elias; sister-in-law, Tina (Jim) Ihnatiuk; brother-in-law, Tom (Pam) Elias; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews;  treasured friends who were connected by heart & soul- Cara Bunn, Emily Abate, April Paladino, Allison Brons, Jennifer Denise, Sue Mack, Heather Coles, & Shanna Jamanis and many other close friends, as to know Dawn truly was to love her. 

Dawn graduated from Irondequoit High School in 1998 and proudly headed to Syracuse University where she earned a B.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders. Dawn then earned her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from University at Buffalo and completed her education with a Ph.D from University at Buffalo in Communication Disorders and Sciences. 

Dawn was many things to many people- but most important to her was being mom to Adeline & Henry.  She loved every day with them. She held close their frequent family adventures whether it was the summer they aimed to try (and rank) every local ice cream place, an unplanned trip to Cape Cod, simply driving the kids to school & practices, or watching the children at their school, musical, & sporting events- being a part of this world with Dennis and the kids by her side was always her favorite place to be. 

Dawn changed the lives of many people over the years through her work as a Speech- Language Pathologist, first with Stepping Stones and then for many years as a respected professor at Nazareth University.  Dr. V-E took pride in educating compassionate future clinicians with her special blend of competence, kindness, caring, & fun.  Her clinical & research interest focused on interdisciplinary supports for children with social communication differences & professional preparation in the area of Autism. She was instrumental in developing an interdisciplinary specialty program in Autism at Nazareth University.  She was a treasured faculty member of the LEND program at University of Rochester where she trained, mentored, and inspired learners from many professions to be leaders and advocates in the field of Autism and other developmental disabilities. Advocacy was her passion & lasting professional legacy. She was a light and a gift to all her many patients, colleagues, & students throughout her career.

Dawn had a way of recognizing the very best in people in a way that made you leave every interaction feeling like a better version of yourself because she believed in you. The simple joy of being together with those you love, sharing a big laugh, helping someone, & making sure to notice the deep beauty of this world were the things she valued the most & always wanted more of.  Dawn’s boundless energy, endless dedication to those she loved, & beautiful way of thinking through a problem meant she was many people’s go to person. She always had time to talk things out, give the most solid, thoughtful advice & challenge you to see a situation with a fresh perspective. Dawn taught us that when you lead with LOVE & curiosity you can never go wrong.  So today in honor of her well-lived life look for a chance to ask a sincere question, share a smile, be kind always, give of your time, do the hard thing & stand up for what is right in the beautiful way that Dawn always would.

Her family will receive friends Friday, May 30, 4-7pm at Paul W Harris funeral home (570 Kings Highway S). A Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Saturday, May 31, at 10:00 AM in Linehan Chapel, Golisano Academic Center at Nazareth University. A map for directions can be found here, https://maps.naz.edu/#golisano Interment Private.

Memorials may be directed to any of the many causes Dawn generously & ardently supported over the years- AutismUp, The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, & of course Shepherd Home which showed our family great kindness in a trying time were among her recent favorites.