Sister Mona Gunkel, R.S.M., 89, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Mid-Atlantic Community for 69 years, died on Aug. 30, at Maria Regina Residence, Brentwood, L.I.

Formerly known as Sister Mary Trinitas, she was born in New York City and attended St. Jerome School and St. Catherine of Genoa School both in Brooklyn, and Catherine McAuley H.S., Brooklyn.

She entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate in Syosset in September, 1948 and professed her final vows in September, 1954..

In 1964 she received a Bachelor of Science in Education from St. John’s University followed by a Masters of Science in Art Education from State University at New Paltz.

Her many years of service began as an educator in St.Mary’s Home, Syosset, L.I., 1951; Holy Rosary, Bedford-Stuyvesant, 1951-56; St. Patrick’s, Bay Shore, 1956-64; Maria Regina, Seaford, 1964-68; Mercy H.S., Riverhead, L.I., 1968-95.

From 1996 until 1998, she taught Art in the Continuing Ed Program at Molloy College, Rockville Centre, and from 1996 to 2006 she taught Adult Art at Sienna Center in WaterMill, L.I.

A talented artist, she taught deaf

students through the assistance of an interpreter. She was recipient of many awards for her art, most recently from a competition of residents of NY State Nursing Homes for which she won first prize.

She is survived by her sisters, Joan Gunkel and Betty Goodfellow and

brothers, Charles and Martin.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in the Sisters of Mercy Convent, Whitestone. Burial will be at a later date.