Ocean City Mourns 3-Year-Old Girl Killed In Crash

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The community is mourning the loss of a young girl who died after a crash in Ocean City last weekend.

Renee Parker Monihan, 3, of Ocean City, was fatally struck by a car on Saturday, Nov. 13 just before 11 a.m., police said.

"I want to take a break from discussing city business and ask the community to join me in continuing to mourn the loss of Renee Monihan," Mayor Jay Gillian wrote in his weekly update on Friday.

“The death of such a young girl hit us hard, and I’m proud to see that so many people in Ocean City have pulled together in support of the Monihan family,” Gillian said. “Life is fragile and all of us have lost loved ones. In the spirit of Renee, let’s take this time to remember the priceless joy, wonder and innocence of this young child and also to think of our own family members. They will be with us forever in our memories, thoughts and prayers.”

Renee was born on May 1, 2018. She enjoyed playing with her sister Maren, her cousins and neighbors on her street, riding her bike and swimming, according to her obituary.

“Wonderful days were spent with her family on the Seaspray Road beach, at the North Street playground, and in their boat. Summer was her happiest time of the year,” the obituary reads.

Renee is survived by her parents, Andrea and Christopher Monihan; her sister Maren Joy Monihan; her grandparents, Holly and Michael Monihan, and Josette and Mark Patterson; and her great-grandmother, Karin Wren. She was the niece of Lindsay and Jeffrey Stein and Ryan Patterson, and the cousin of Charles, William and Catherine Stein.

Friends may call on Friday, Nov. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Margate Community Church. A celebration of Renee’s life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. on the Seaspray Road Beach in Ocean City.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shore Medical Center/Renee Parker Monihan Memorial Fund at 100 Medical Center Way, Somers Point, NJ 08244. Arrangements have been made through the Godfrey Funeral Home.