COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a eulogy for her husband, Meredith Gaudreau thanked Columbus and the Blue Jackets family for their love and support.
Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau was in New Jersey for his sister's wedding last month when he and his brother Matthew were killed by a suspected drunken driver.
Alongside friends and family joining to mourn the loss of the two brothers, buses brought players and others to the St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania for the funeral on Monday.
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Meredith opened up the eulogy for her husband by talking about his character and love for his family.
“There aren’t even words that can touch on how to describe my love for John,” Meredith said. “Despite losing my husband way too soon, I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife.”
She announced that she is expecting her third child with Johnny and is now nine weeks pregnant. The couple welcomed both children, Noa and Johnny, while Johnny was playing for the Blue Jackets. Noa was born the same week that they moved to the city for Johnny’s first season.
Johnny played for the Calgary Flames before joining the Blue Jackets in the 2022-2023 season.
Meredith said Columbus took care of them when they experienced so many changes at once.
“You so quickly became home and became our family. The memories we made in Columbus as a growing family are the best years of my life,” she said.
She said she described Columbus similar to the way she described her husband, “You have to come and find out for yourself, and then once you know it, you love it.”
“To Columbus and our Blue Jackets family, I can’t describe how shattered I am that I don’t get more time in your amazing city with John. Most underrated city,” she said. “I’m so glad we got to learn the hidden gem that is Columbus, Ohio together.”
Meredith also thanked the 5th Line and the Columbus Blue Jackets organization for their love, support and comforting words.
“John was so proud to wear your colors every single day,” Meredith said. “He knew and appreciated how special of a community you are. He felt comfortable and like he felt right in. Thank you for giving him that feeling of comfort, security and belonging when he was enduring a massive change. You know it’s a special place when the hockey season is over and you’re not yet ready to pack up and go home yet.”