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Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith announces her pregnancy during the funeral
Albany

Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith announces her pregnancy during the funeral

Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, announced at his memorial service on Monday that she is nine weeks pregnant with her third baby.

Gaudreau, 31, was killed along with his brother Matthew Gaudreau, 29, on August 29 when a suspected drunk driver ran into them while they were riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.

The Columbus Blue Jackets star and his wife Meredith have two children together: daughter Noa, who will turn 2 in October, and son Johnny, who is 7 months old.

During a memorial service for the Gaudreau brothers on Monday, Meredith announced that she is expecting another child with her late husband next year.

“John and I had the best six months as a family of four. That will forever be the best six months of my life,” Meredith Gaudreau said, according to ABC News. “There’s one week that I’ll remember forever – that will be the best week of my life in those six months. We’re actually a family of five. I’m nine weeks pregnant with our third baby.”

Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram


Meredith said her late husband was “glowing and so excited,” according to ABC News. “His reaction was to immediately kiss and hug me,” she said, noting that the pregnancy was a “total surprise” to her. The couple had just welcomed their second child, Johnny, in February.

“Noa, our oldest, is not even two years old yet,” said Meredith. “In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five. It sounds impossible, but I consider it the greatest blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies? Our last one is a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances.”

Matthew’s widow Madeline is also expecting their first child, named Tripp. A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched earlier this month to support Madeline and Tripp and had raised nearly $650,000 as of Monday.

Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau.

Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram


Both Meredith and Madeline spoke at their husbands’ memorial service on Monday, according to the Associated Press. In addition to family, current and former teammates of Johnny and Matthews, as well as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, were present at the ceremony at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania.

Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau in 2014.

Richard T. Gagnon/Getty


“It was always about John and Matty,” said Meredith, who celebrated her third wedding anniversary with Johnny last Wednesday. “I know John couldn’t have lived a day without his brother.”

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Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau with daughter Noa in 2022.

Columbus Blue Jackets/Instagram


As Madeline spoke, she asked others to think again about driving while under the influence in the future. “I urge everyone not to drive while under the influence,” Madeline said, according to the AP. “Find a ride. Please don’t put another family through this ordeal.”

Sean M. Higgins, the suspected drunk driver, had been trying to pass another car when he fatally struck the Gaudreau brothers, New Jersey State Police told PEOPLE last month. Higgins was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter.

Johnny and Matthew were in town to serve as best men at their sister Katie’s wedding, which was scheduled to take place the next day but was postponed.

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