Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, announced at his memorial service Monday that she is nine weeks pregnant with their third baby. Gaudreau, 31, was killed alongside his brother Matthew Gaudreau, 29, on Aug. 29 when an alleged drunk driver crashed into them while they were riding their bikes along in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.
The Columbus Blue Jackets star and his wife Meredith shared two children together, daughter Noa, who turns 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. These will forever be the best six months of my life,” Meredith Gaudreau said, according to ABC News. “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. I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby.”
Meredith said her late husband “was beaming and so excited,” according to ABC News. “His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me,” she said, noting the pregnancy was a “total surprise” to them. The couple had just welcomed their second child, Johnny, in February.
“Noa, our oldest, hasn’t even turned 2 yet,” Meredith said. “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.”
Matthew’s widow Madeline is also pregnant with their first child, named Tripp. A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched in support of Madeline and Tripp earlier this month, raising nearly $650,000 as of Monday.
Both Meredith and Madeline spoke at their husbands’ memorial service on Monday, according to The Associated Press. In addition to family, Johnny and Matthews’ current and former teammates were in attendance for the service at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Penn., as well as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
When Madeline spoke, she pleaded for others to reconsider drinking and driving in the future. “I urge everyone to not drink and drive,” Madeline said, according to the AP. “Find a ride. Please don’t put another family through this torture.”
Sean M. Higgins, the alleged drunk driver, had attempted to pass another car when he fatally hit 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 groomsmen for their sister Katie’s wedding, set to take place the next day, which has been postponed.
