Brianna Belle Morand, tragically and unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 28 on October 8, 2026, in Dryden, Ontario.
Brianna is survived by her children, Aiya and Echo Morand; her parents, Richard Morand and Susan Freeman; her sisters, Raven and Harmony Morand; her grandparents, Louise and Glen Ewen; her uncles, Gary and Bryon Morand; and her great-uncles, Lawrence and Randy Erickson. Brianna is predeceased by her great-grandparents, Elsie and Albert Erickson; her great-aunt, Laverne Baker; and her beloved pet dog Jaxx.
Brianna was born in Kitchener, Ontario, on July 5, 1998, to her parents Richard Morand and Julie Whiteside. Richard was a single a single father for many years until he met Susan, who became the girls’ mother when they were little. Brianna attended school in Kitchener until Grade 10, when she moved to Dryden and graduated from Dryden High School in 2016. Brianna met her high school sweetheart, Angkit Pradhan, during those years, and lived in many places in Manitoba and Alberta shortly after she graduated. Brianna and Angkit moved back to Kitchener in 2017, where they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Aiya Morand in July of that year. Brianna, Aiya, and Harmony, moved back to Dryden several months after Aiya was born. Brianna went on to celebrate the birth of her son, Echo, in Dryden in August of 2025.
Brianna was a loving mother who cared deeply for her children and had a reputation for being kind to everyone who crossed paths with her. She adored animals, and during her high school years she volunteered at the Dryden Veterinary Clinic. Brianna was very active and enjoyed cheerleading in her teens and hiking trails in her spare time and was known for being very strong despite being so petite. Brianna had a passion for tinkering from a young age, and enjoyed thrifting, often fixing things up that other people would pass over or discard. She was very proud of herself when she obtained her DZ license and worked for Emcon, a primarily all male workplace. Brianna drove snowplough for them, ploughing the highways all around the Dryden and surrounding area. When she first started working for Emcon, her supervisors doubted that such a tiny woman could handle the job, yet time and time again, she proudly proved them wrong, showing them how tough she could be. She was a proud Anishinaabe woman from Eagle Lake First Nation and celebrated her culture through powwow dancing and volunteering at the Indigenous Friendship Centre in Dryden. Brianna had a big heart, loved EDM music, fun coloured hair, and was a bright light in the lives of many people.
A Wake will begin on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Eagle Lake First Nation Community Hall. A Funeral Service for Brianna will follow at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with Elder Gilbert Smith conducting the Traditional Service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 250 Dundas St. W, Suite 401, Toronto, ON M5T 2Z5
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