Pregnant widows of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau recall husbands’ joy in fatherhood

Meredith Gaudreau, widow of late National Hockey League (NHL) star Johnny Gaudreau, announced at her husband’s funeral that she is pregnant with his child. Johnny and his brother, Matthew, had traveled to New Jersey for their sister’s wedding and were bicycling when they were struck and killed by a drunk driver.

Johnny and his brother, Matthew, both played hockey professionally; Johnny played in the NHL for the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Matthew played minor league hockey, most recently for the Reading Royals.

Johnny and his wife Meredith had two children together — a daughter born in 2022 and a son born in 2024 — while Matthew was married to Madeline Gaudreau, who was also pregnant at the time of his death… with the couple’s first child.

Meredith’s pregnancy was yet unannounced when her husband died; in a tearful eulogy, she broke the news.

“John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life. There’s specifically one week that I will cherish forever – it will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months. We’re actually a family of five,” she said. “I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby. A total surprise, but again, John was beaming and so excited. I was so nervous because this was, again, a total surprise. But his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me even though I was driving the car. After the initial excitement sank in, every time he looked at me, he would say, ‘You’re nuts, you know that? Three kids?'”

Madeline also spoke about her loving marriage to Matthew, and the excitement they shared over their first child. “He was born to be a dad,” Madeline said. “The moment we found out about our son Tripp, it consumed his every day. He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John. I will never forget the tears he had in his eyes when he first heard Tripp’s heartbeat. I know Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life.”

The brothers were laid to rest in a joint funeral at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania, on Monday.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Meredith said their preborn baby is a blessing to be cherished. “In less than three years of marriage, we’ve created a family of five,” she continued. “It doesn’t even sound possible, but I look at it as the ultimate blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies? Our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances. To my babies, daddy loves you all so much and you have the best daddy in the world.”

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