In an emotional ceremony Monday, the widows of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau tearfully paid tribute to their late husbands and pledged support for each other and their children.
Johnny, a 31-year-old NHL star, and his brother Matthew, 29, were killed Aug. 29 when an allegedly drunken driver hit them while riding their bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, the night before their sister Katie’s wedding.
Both brothers’ wives – Johnny’s widow Meredith Gaudreau and Matthew’s widow Madeline Gaudreau – are pregnant.
Near the end of her speech at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Media, Penn., Madeline turned to Meredith and addressed her sister-in-law directly: “Meredith, I’m so sorry that we’re going to share this relationship forever,” Madeline said. “Boys could not have chosen stronger women as wives and mothers of their children.”
Matthew and Madeline Gaudreau.
Matthew Gaudreau/Instagram
Madeline continued, “There’s one person in this world who knows the exact feeling I feel, and that’s you, and for that I’m sorry. Loss of husband, father, our comfort. I promise that I will always be there for you and the children and that we will respect the lives of our husbands together, hand in hand, with their family and friends.”
Madeline is pregnant with her and Matthew’s first child, Tripp, while Meredith announced at Monday’s memorial service that she is nine weeks pregnant with her and Johnny’s third child together.
Meredith and Johnny welcomed their second child, baby Johnny, in February. They also have a daughter, Noa, who turns 2 in October. During her speech, Meredith said “there aren’t even words to describe my love for John.” “He didn’t have a bad bone in his body,” said the widow of the late Columbus Blue Jackets star, adding, “I strive to be more like him.” He did everything he needed to do and he did everything right.”
Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith announces she is pregnant with their third child during the funeral
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Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau’s casket is carried into the church during his and his brother Matthew’s funeral at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
During her speech, Madeline said, “last week it felt like I was trapped in a nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from.”
“I feel numb, angry, sad and blessed all at once,” said Matthew’s widow. “Some days the thought of this new reality wears me out, but mostly I just miss Matt.”
Both Meredith and Madeline recalled how they first met their husbands—Madeline and Matthew met through a mutual friend in Omaha, Neb., before their four years of distance learning, while Johnny and Meredith first met when became neighbors in 2018, falling in love almost immediately.
Both widows shared stories about how close Matthew and Johnny were, and Madeline noted how the Gaudreau brothers slept together in the same bedroom until college.
“And neither of them wanted that to change,” she said, drawing laughs from family, friends, teammates and NHL officials in attendance.
“John took care of Matty, and Matty would take care of John,” Madeline said. “To know them both was to truly love them. It was impossible not to fall in love with them. Meredith said it best, you don’t hear one name without the other. They were very proud of each other.”
Katie Gaudreau shares wedding ring with late brothers Johnny and Matthew’s initials: ‘Now forever with me’
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The remains of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player John Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau leave after a funeral at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Madeline also urged everyone to never drink and drive. “Call a transport,” said Matthew’s widow. “Please don’t put another family through this torture.”
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Sean M. Higgins, an alleged drunken driver, was 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 death by auto and arrested.
Johnny and Matthew were in town to serve as best men at their sister Katie’s wedding, which was supposed to take place the next day, but was postponed.
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