Meredith Gaudreau, wife of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau who, along with his brother Matthew Gaudreau, was killed by an alleged drunk driver last month, revealed in a eulogy to her late husband that she is expecting their third child.
On Sept. 9, Meredith Gaudreau delivered a heartbreaking speech for the Columbus Blue Jackets player during the joint funeral for him and his brother. Through tears, Meredith Gaudreau recalled their love story and spoke about welcoming their first child together, a baby girl named Noa. Just 17 months after Noa arrived, Meredith Gaudreau gave birth to their son, John.
Speaking directly to her late husband, she said, “John, I had the best six months as a family of four. Those will forever be the best six months of my life. There’s specifically one week that I will cherish forever and will be my favorite week of my life.”
Meredith Gaudreau then announced that she is currently pregnant with their third child.
“I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby,” she said. “A total surprise, but again, John was beaming and so excited. I was so nervous, again, total surprise. But his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me even though I was driving the car.”
Meredith Gaudreau sweetly remembered her husband frequently telling her after she shared the news, “‘You’re nuts, you know that? Three kids.’”
She added that their oldest child, Noa, has not celebrated her second birthday yet.
“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? My last one being a blessing is so special, despite these difficult circumstances.”
She told her children that their father loves them and gushed that he is the best dad in the world. She said she planned to encourage their son to follow in his father’s footsteps and would teach him to ice skate as soon as possible.
Her pregnancy news came after her sister-in-law Madeline Gaudreau read her eulogy to husband Matthew and also mentioned being pregnant. Madeline Gaudreau is currently expecting her first child, a son.
She previously announced on Instagram that her due date is in December.
“For anyone that knows Matty knows he was born to be a dad,” she said at the funeral. “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.”
She said Matthew Gaudreau accompanied her to all her doctor appointments and had already started to build a nursery for their baby boy.
“Matthew worked so hard on that room, and I can feel him in there every time I go in it. Matthew was so excited to welcome Tripp into this world, and although the plan now looks a little different, I know Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life,” Madeline Gaudreau said. “I’m so thankful God gave us a child, a little Matty to run around for life, to carry on his legacy. Tripp will know how much his father loved him, and I promise to do all the things with him we talked about.”
She said she is looking forward to Tripp growing up with his cousin John and creating the same unbreakable bond that the two hockey brothers shared.
On Aug. 29, New Jersey State Police confirmed Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother, Matthew, 29, were pronounced dead at the scene after they were hit by an alleged drunken driver while riding their bikes in their New Jersey hometown, NBC Philadelphia reported.
According to NJ Advance Media, the brothers were supposed to attend their sister’s wedding the following day.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau previously played together at Boston College before their professional careers. Former coach Jerry York said the two were “inseparable.”
