One month after the tragic deaths of Matthew Gaudreau and his brother, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, in a biking accident, Matthew’s wife, Madeline Gaudreau, celebrated the upcoming arrival of their first child.
Madeline, who is expecting a son, Tripp, recently held a baby shower filled with emotional tributes to her late husband and his brother. In an October 13 Instagram post, she shared her feelings about the heartfelt event, writing, “Baby shower of my dreams. My husband would have loved all the balloons. The way you were able to tie in my husband brought instant tears when I walked in.”
The couple had announced their pregnancy in June, but just two months later, Matthew, 29, and his 31-year-old brother Johnny—who had three children with his wife, Meredith Gaudreau—died in a biking accident in New Jersey on August 29.
“All my friends and family, nothing will bring his dad back or Uncle John,” Madeline wrote in her post, “but I am glad he has so many amazing people around him to remind him how amazing they were.”
The baby shower featured a touching theme, “A little piece of heaven,” with decorations that honored the Gaudreau brothers, including cookies and balloons.
This isn’t the first time Madeline has expressed her grief over losing her husband. Shortly after his death, she shared a heartbreaking Instagram post on August 31, saying, “I have no words. I just miss you. I don’t know my life without you… I am so blessed you chose me to be your wife—to love me. You are the best thing about me. I know you are watching down in just as much pain as I am looking up. I will keep going for you and our son. I love you so much, Matthew.”
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, has also shared her grief, while finding solace in her growing family. Expecting her third child, she reflected on their short but full life together, saying, “In less than three years of marriage, we’ve created a family of five. 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.”