Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau’s Widows Madeline and Meredith Mark 1st Anniversary of Their Deaths with Beach Outing with Kids

Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau’s widows, Madeline and Meredith, spent the first anniversary of their husbands’ deaths together at the beach with their children.

On Sunday, Aug. 31, Madeline shared an Instagram post of herself with her baby son, Tripp Matthew, writing, “Tripp’s 1st Beach trip 💚💚.” The photo showed her holding Tripp as they waded into the ocean.

Madeline welcomed Tripp just four months after her husband Matthew died.

Matthew, 29, and Johnny, 31, were killed on Aug. 29, 2024, when a drunk driver struck them as they were biking in Oldmans Township, N.J., the night before their sister’s wedding.

Marking the anniversary, Meredith posted a photo on her Instagram Stories of herself with Madeline at the beach. In the picture, Meredith held her 2-year-old daughter, Noa. Meredith is also mom to Johnny Jr., 1, and Carter, born on April 1 — seven months after Johnny’s death.

In an interview with The Athletic, published Aug. 26, Meredith and Madeline said they planned to spend the anniversary together at the Jersey Shore with their children. Madeline also explained she didn’t want to give the date “added power” compared to other days, because, as she said, “every day without” her husband is painful.

On Aug. 29, Meredith shared a short but emotional tribute to Johnny on Instagram: “I have the best husband. One year closer to seeing you again and being with you forever. Forever for real.”

Back in December, when Madeline announced Tripp’s birth on Instagram, she shared a photo of his tiny hand resting beside a sign that read, “He’s Here.” Tripp’s middle name honors his late father.

Two days after the tragedy last year, Madeline wrote a heartbreaking message alongside a wedding photo of her and Matthew: “I have no words. I just miss you. I don’t know my life without you. I have never experienced a pain like this. 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.”

To honor their late husbands, Meredith and Madeline created the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, which supports youth hockey and families facing tragedy. Meredith told The Athletic that their mission is to “do a lot of good and help people who need help.”

Both women said they want to focus on creating happy memories with their children, even while carrying the weight of loss. “A lot of times when Matt and John are spoken about, it’s with a lot of sadness and heaviness, and rightfully so,” Madeline said.

The Gaudreau brothers were laid to rest on Sept. 9, 2024, at a joint funeral where Madeline and Meredith gave emotional speeches honoring them.