A family has faced an unimaginable loss after their two young children, a 9-year-old girl and her 7-year-old brother, were tragically thrown into the water during a boating accident off New Jersey’s coast when their grandfather hit a channel marker.
Sigmund and Jennifer Golabek are mourning the deaths of their daughter Mya and son Sigmund, following a family outing on a boat this past Sunday night. The children’s grandfather, Stephen Schneider, collided with a state police channel marker in Barnegat Bay, as reported by NJ.com.
The collision occurred in the waters off Berkeley Township, causing the siblings to fall overboard. Their grandfather, who is 63, managed to rescue them, but they were unfortunately pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Laurie Schneider, the children’s 64-year-old grandmother, was also aboard their 30-foot Tidewater boat.
Berkeley City Councilman James Burns mentioned that all waterway markers were operational and illuminated during the incident, which happened around 9 p.m. News 12 New Jersey reported his comments.
“Firefighters immediately jumped in and tried to save them,” Burns noted. “One child had a life jacket nearby, but they took it off due to the ongoing CPR efforts.”
A spokesperson from the state police indicated that the investigation into the boating accident is still ongoing as of Thursday morning.
The obituary for Mya, born on April 6, 2017, describes her as a radiant light who brought joy to those around her. Her nine years of life were filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments, her family remembers.
They portray her as a “kind-hearted, fun-loving girl” who thrived on activity and competition, noting her infectious smile and warm personality. “Mya’s time here was brief, but the love she shared and the memories created will forever be cherished,” her family stated.
Mya enjoyed playing softball and basketball, swimming, crafting, painting, and spending time at the beach, especially indulging in crabs.
Sigmund, affectionately called “Siggy,” was born on November 29, 2018. His obituary reflects on how he brought laughter, love, and lasting memories to those around him.
“He was a sweet, shy, yet adventurous boy with a lively imagination,” his family shared. He loved basketball, baseball, swimming, and had a particular fondness for Sonic and dinosaurs, which added a playful touch to his personality. His close connection with his mother was also highlighted in the tribute.
Sigmund shared a first name with his father, and their unique bond was characterized by a special handshake that will remain a cherished memory.
The obituaries for both children noted, “The bond between siblings is an enduring love. Mya and Siggy were not just siblings, but best friends, sharing adventures and laughter.” They suggested that now, together, they continue their journey beyond this life, leaving behind beautiful memories of their inseparable connection.
The children are survived by their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, three great-grandparents, and several great-aunts and great-uncles.
