Meredith Gaudreau got a tattoo of her late husband Johnny’s ashes

Meredith Gaudreau found a poignant way to preserve her late husband’s legacy forever.

After the death of Meredith’s husband, an NHL star Johnny Gaudreauin August 2024 she recently got tattoos in memory of Johnny, using his ashes in the ink.

“A month ago a client approached me about a cremation tattoo,” tattoo artist Tay Nicole Clinch shared via Instagram on Wednesday, January 15. “I had never done one and I was transparent about it, but she still chose to stay with me. Shortly after that she told me about her story and it’s safe to say I got pretty emotional when I realized it was a story I already knew about and had cried in the past.”

Johnny and his brother Matthew Gaudreauwere struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on August 29, 2024. Johnny was 31, Matthew 29.

Clinch continued: “With some factors involved, it’s not something I would do, but given the circumstances, I made an exception. Safety was a priority. A medical professional was consulted who gave permission, ensuring that this decision was made with careful and informed guidance.’

Meredith had Ford Forever tattooed on the inside of one finger and the names of her two children, a daughter Noah2 and a son Johnny22 months — on the forearm.

“So with his ashes in the ink, this tattoo has become an additional way to carry his presence with her along with their babies – thank you for trusting me with something so special and allowing me to play a small part in your healing journey Clinch wrote.

Clinch explained that she waited a month to post about the tattoos because she “wanted Meredith to have some alone time with them while they healed and they healed well with no unusual side effects.”

Meredith expressed her gratitude in the comments section of Clinch’s post, writing, “Obsessed with them. Perfectly made by the best and coolest girl.

The tattoo artist hinted that there could be more ink in Meredith’s future, commenting: “I’m very excited about the other ideas.”

At a memorial service for Johnny and Matthew in September 2024, Meredith revealed that she is nine weeks pregnant with the couple’s third baby.

“We’re basically a family of five,” Meredith said during her eulogy. “I’m nine weeks pregnant with our third baby. A complete surprise, but again John was beaming and so excited.

Meredith added: “I was so nervous because it was a complete surprise again. But his reaction was to immediately kiss and hug me even though I was driving the car. After the initial excitement wore off, every time he looked at me he said, “You’re crazy, you know that? Three children?”