“THEY WERE BEST FRIENDS”: HEARTBROKEN FAMILY REMEMBERS TWO CHILDREN LOST IN TRAGIC BOAT CRASH

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY — For Jennifer and Sigmund Golabek, the loss is almost impossible to comprehend.

In a single night, the New Jersey mother lost both of her children — 9-year-old Mya Bella Golabek and her 7-year-old brother, Sigmund “Siggy” Paul Golabek.

The siblings died July 19 after a 30-foot boat carrying the family struck a channel marker in Barnegat Bay, throwing both children into the water. Emergency responders rushed to help, but neither child survived.

Now, their family is trying to remember them not for the way their lives ended, but for the extraordinary bond they shared.

“NOT ONLY BROTHER AND SISTER, BUT BEST FRIENDS”

The siblings’ obituaries describe Mya and Siggy as inseparable.

They laughed together, shared adventures and created the kind of childhood memories that parents hope their children will carry with them for a lifetime.

“A sibling bond is a love that lasts forever,” the family wrote in Mya’s obituary, describing the children as “not only brother and sister, but best friends.”

The family added that the two would continue their journey together, “hand in hand” — a heartbreaking tribute to a brother and sister whose lives were so closely intertwined.

MYA: A GIRL WHO BROUGHT JOY EVERYWHERE

Mya was remembered as a joyful, energetic 9-year-old who loved being active.

She played softball and basketball, enjoyed swimming, trips to the beach and crabbing, and loved crafting and drawing.

Her obituary described her beautiful smile, kind heart and joyful personality as qualities that made people around her feel loved.

She also had a special relationship with the family’s dogs, Tequila and Captain, who were described as important sources of companionship.

For her family, Mya was more than a collection of memories.

She was the child whose presence could brighten a room.

SIGGY: A SHY BOY WITH A BIG IMAGINATION

Sigmund, known affectionately as Siggy, was remembered as a shy but adventurous 7-year-old.

He loved basketball, baseball, swimming, Sonic and dinosaurs.

His family also remembered his playful personality and his close relationship with his mother.

He shared his father’s first name and even had a special handshake with him — one of those small family traditions that can become priceless after someone is gone.

And through it all was his bond with Mya.

Brother and sister. Teammates. Playmates. Best friends.

A FAMILY TRIP ENDS IN DEVASTATION

The children were aboard their grandparents’ boat when it struck a channel marker in the Berkeley Township area of Barnegat Bay around 9 p.m.

Both children were thrown into the water.

Their grandparents and first responders attempted to save them, but the children were ultimately pronounced dead at a hospital.

The investigation later took a significant turn.

Their grandfather, 64-year-old Stephen Schneider, was charged with two counts of second-degree reckless vessel homicide, along with charges alleging he operated the vessel under the influence and recklessly. Prosecutors have alleged that alcohol impairment played a role.

The charges are allegations, and Schneider is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

A MOTHER LEFT TO GRIEVE HER ENTIRE WORLD

For Jennifer Golabek, the tragedy is not simply the loss of two children.

It is the loss of the two people who filled her life with daily routines, laughter, arguments, games, hugs and memories.

Mya and Siggy were only 9 and 7.

Their lives were still supposed to be unfolding — more birthdays, more school years, more summer days, more games and countless ordinary moments that families rarely realize are precious until they are gone.

Their obituaries now preserve those memories.

Two children. One unbreakable bond. A family forever changed.

Mya and Siggy may have left this world together, but the family says their love for each other will remain together, hand in hand, in the hearts of everyone who knew them.