Madeline Gaudreau celebrated her baby shower on Saturday, October 12, weeks after her husband, Matthew Gaudreau, and his brother, Johnny Gaudreau, were killed in a tragic car accident in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on August 29 — the day before their sister’s wedding.
Madeline, who is expecting her first child with Matthew — a boy to be named Tripp — posted photos of the event to Instagram Saturday. She wore a blue dress to the shower, which featured blue, white and beige balloons and signs that read, “A Little Piece of Heaven” and “Welcome To Our Baby Shower Matty & Madeline.”
“Baby Shower of my Dreams ,” Madeline wrote alongside a carousel of photos from her special day. “Thank you @gabriellevasaturo for hosting. @bitesizedsis you’re amazing, my husband would have loved all the balloons.”
She continued: “The way you were able to tie in my husband brought instant tears when I walked in. All my friends and family, nothing will bring his dad back or uncle john, but I am glad he has so many amazing people around him to remind him how amazing they were .”
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Madeline’s sister-in-law Katie Gaudreau also shared pictures from the baby shower, writing, “Felt the love from your Daddy and Uncle John today. We love you Tripp Matthew.”
Johnny’s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, was also in attendance and posted pictures to her Instagram Story on Saturday. “I got you. We got this,” she wrote over a photo of herself and Madeline. “So proud of you. Already the best mom.”
At her husband’s funeral, Meredith announced she’s expecting their third child. She and the late Columbus Blue Jackets star also shared daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny, 8 months.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were killed on August 29 when an alleged drunk driver crashed into them while they were riding their bikes. Sean M. Higgins was accused of driving erratically and impatiently, eventually striking the brothers at a high rate of speed and killing them instantly.
Evidence was presented that indicated Higgins’ blood-alcohol level was .087, over the legal limit of .08.
Judge Michael Silviano referenced Higgins’ “road rage-like behavior” during a hearing last month and said his driving “was so impaired that he didn’t even see these two young men on their bikes riding safely on the roadway.”
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“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans,” the family said in a statement provided to WBZ-TV reporter Dan Roche following the crash. “We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief.”
In an Instagram post following his death, Madeline shared of Matty, “Best 14 years of my life I will cherish those years and you for the rest of my life.”