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, marked the first anniversary of their deaths by spending time together at the beach with their kids.

On Sunday, Aug. 31, Madeline shared a photo on Instagram of herself with her baby son, Tripp Matthew, with the caption, “Tripp’s 1st Beach trip 💚💚.” The pair could be seen taking a dip in the water along the shore.

Madeline welcomed Tripp, her first child, four months after her husband Matthew’s death.

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

Amid the anniversary of that tragic night, Meredith shared a photo on her Instagram Stories of herself and Madeline posing together at the beach. In the snapshot, Meredith, who was married to Johnny, held her 2-year-old daughter, Noa.

She is also mom to son Johnny Jr., 1, and son Carter, who was born on April 1, seven months after Johnny’s death.

Meredith and Madeline previously told The Athletic, in a story published on Aug. 26, that they planned to spend the anniversary of Johnny and Matthew’s deaths together, with their children, at the Jersey Shore.

In The Athletic profile, Madeline also shared that she didn’t want to give the anniversary date any “added power” over others, as “every day without” her husband is painful.

Meredith posted a brief, but emotional tribute to Johnny on her Instagram Stories on Friday, Aug. 29, to mark the first anniversary of his death.

“I have the best husband,” she wrote. “One year closer to seeing you again and being with you forever. Forever for real.”

Back in December, when Madeline announced on Instagram that she had welcomed Tripp — whose middle name is a sweet tribute to his late father — she shared a photo of herself holding her newborn’s tiny hand as he lay on a baby blanket alongside a small round sign that read, “He’s Here.”

After sharing the news of her son’s arrival, Madeline posted a photo of her hand, and her wedding ring, on her Instagram Stories as she was in the hospital.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Madeline, who appeared to be in her hospital bed and hooked up to an IV after giving birth, wrote, “Had Matty with me the whole time 🤍🤍🦋🦋🦋.”

Two days after the tragedy, Madeline wrote a heartbreaking caption alongside a photo of her and Matthew on Instagram. “I have no words. I just miss you. I don’t know my life without you,” she wrote.

“I have never experienced a pain like this,” she continued. “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.”

In honor of their late husbands, Meredith and Madeline created the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation to support youth hockey initiatives and hockey families that have faced tragedy. Meredith told The Athletic that the goal of the foundation is to “do a lot of good and help people who need help.”

She also shared that she and Madeline are now hoping to create new, happy memories with their children after the tragedy. “A lot of times when Matt and John are spoken about, it’s with a lot of sadness and heaviness, and rightfully so,” Madeline told the outlet.

The brothers were laid to rest on Sept. 9, 2024, at a joint funeral, where she and Meredith gave emotional speeches honoring their late husbands.