Monica Kneuer

Monica Kneuer of Peconic died Nov. 12 after a short illness.

Born in Uniondale in 1940 to Joseph and Margaret (Stasko) Kneuer, she attended St. Barnabas School in Bellmore and Massapequa High School. She received an associate degree in art from Farmingdale State College and a Bachelor of Arts in arts education from SUNY/New Paltz.

After several years in Ocala, Fla., she moved to West Babylon and served for more than 25 years as an art teacher in the Deer Park School District. A much beloved educator, she inspired thousands of students with her kindness, creativity and sense of fun – and remained a close friend to many.

Upon retiring to Peconic, she volunteered with a number of organizations, including as a donor and driver for Lighthouse International services for the blind. Ms. Kneuer was an active member of St. Patrick Parish in Southold and her local Homemakers Club. She was an accomplished photographer as well as visual artist, and her photography was recognized with numerous citations and awards. She was exceedingly proud to have her work featured on the Greenport tourism poster and to have showcased her crafts on “The Carol Duvall Show” on HGTV.

Ms. Kneuer recovered remarkably well from a debilitating stroke three years ago. Formerly an intrepid world traveler, she relished her remaining years on her beloved North Fork with her family and many friends, including her compassionate and loyal caregiver, Madge Bunting. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her niece Claire Margaret Kneuer. She is survived by her brother, Joe, and sister-in-law, Terry Kneuer, of Montclair, N.J.; her nephew Paul Kneuer and his wife, Melissa, also of Montclair, and their daughter, Elizabeth, of Manhattan; nieces Anne Kneuer of Sea Bright, N.J., and Devery Volpe and her husband, Vincent, and their children, Claudia and Christopher, of Haworth, N.J.; nephew John Kneuer and his wife, Mimi, and their children, Joseph and Christine, of Washington, D.C.; and many first and second cousins.

Visiting hours will be Sunday, Nov. 17, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, at St. Patrick R.C. Church in Southold. Interment will follow at approximately 1 p.m. at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Lighthouse International, c/o Development Dept., 111 E. 59th St., NY, NY 10022.

This is a paid notice.