Johnny Gaudreau's mother Jane shares heart-wrenching quote on importance of life after losing sons in accident

Late Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau’s mother Jane posted a heartrending message on Instagram on Friday. Since the tragic deaths of Johnny and his brother Matthew in a road accident on Aug. 29, the Gaudreau family has been honoring the brothers by sharing snippets and images from their lives on social media.

Jane reposted a message from the Instagram account, @hellotoheaven, which featured a picture of a sunset with the silhouette of a shrub bush in the foreground.

“One moment can take a life but never how much that life meant @johngaudreau03 @mattygaudreau11,” Jane said in the caption, echoing the message of the original post.

Jane Gaudreau's post and message. (Credits: IG/@jgaudreau311)

Johnny and Matthew were struck by a car reportedly driven by a drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The brothers were in town with the rest of the family for their younger sister Katie’s wedding.

The Gaudreau brothers are survived by their father Guy, mother Jane, sisters Kristin and Katie; Johnny’s wife Meredith and two kids Noa and Johnny Jr. and Matthew’s wife Madeline and their son Tripp, who was born in December after the brothers’ death. Meredith also announced at Johnny and Matthew’s memorial that she was expecting the couple’s third child.

The hockey community has rallied in support of the Gaudreaus after the tragic loss they suffered. Both the Blue Jackets and Johnny’s former team, the Calgary Flames, were involved in puck drop ceremonies in their honor on Dec. 3. The Philadelphia Flyers also held a special pregame event honoring the brothers on Dec. 21 when they hosted the Blue Jackets.

The Dubuque Fighting Saints, who Johnny played for in 2010-11, held a special ceremony on Jan. 11 to retire his jersey number. At the event, USHL Commissioner Glen Hefferan introduced the Gaudreau Award in their honor.

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Johnny Gaudreau’s mother shared childhood photos of him and Matthew

On Jan. 18, Johnny Gaudreau’s mother, Jane, shared photos of the Gaudreau family from 13 years ago on Instagram.

“13 years ago,” Jane wrote in the caption.

via Instagram/@jgaudreau311

One of the photos shows Matthew, Jane and Kristin at a restaurant. Another photo was a family snapshot of Johnny and Matthew as kids with their parents.

Other members of the family have also shared emotional and supportive posts on Instagram. Katie has shared many messages and family photos from her childhood. Madeline also posted a birthday message for her sister-in-law Meredith on Monday.

“You inspire me daily. Happy birthday to the strongest woman I know @meredithgaudreau,” the post caption read.

Other members of the family and their friends have also shared posts in remembrance of Johnny and Matthew over the past few months.