CAROLYN FERN BERCIER

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CAROLYN FERN BERCIER

(HEWARD)

The Payne/Bercier family is bereaved to announce the sudden passing of Carolyn Fern Bercier (Heward).

Born April 11, 1942, to Ivy May Heward and Bert Heward in Brandon, Manitoba. Married to John William Bercier on November 9, 1960, and gave birth to Yvonne Eloise Bercier on May 1, 1961. Grandmother to Christopher Joel Payne (me) and Jeffery William Payne; also, great-grandmother to Daniel William Payne.

Carol died on April 13, 2026, five years to the day of her husband Jack. What a deep connection they had. They were married for 60 wonderful years.

The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life was to tell Grandma her little girl was going to die. On November 10, 2026, her daughter (my mom) succumbed to cancer at the age of 56. We shared a raw, guttural pain and relied on each other and a network of family and friends to find stability. Every November 10th, we would commiserate over the phone and tell stories to each other.

When I think of my grandma, my first thoughts are of her garden. Almost her entire backyard was converted to a vegetable garden. Her produce was always fantastic. Carrots were her favourite to grow; the peas were my favourite to eat. Family and neighbours were always stocked up on tomatoes and beans when fall came around.

She regarded people in her neighbourhood as close as family. Her and my grandfather were always helpful and giving. If someone was in a bind, they’d help without a second thought.

Grandma loved knick-knacks of all kinds. She collected salt and pepper shakers, glass angels, and even Beanie Babies. She liked to display things with poetry or meaningful words that made her think of and feel certain people. One was, and I quote: “Old gardens never die, they just go to seed.”

Grandma loved us all very much, but there might have been one person who had her adulation. That person being The King himself…Elvis Presley. She had every album on 8-track, vinyl, CD, and cassette. Every movie and every book about him.

Every holiday, we would write letters to each other. I loved getting them and I found every letter I ever sent here. Here is the last letter:



Dear Grandma,

I can’t express how loved and appreciated you were. Your absence is a massive rift in my heart. I know I’ll be fine. You’ve helped shape the person I am today, strong and resilient. You were such a lasting pillar in my life. When I felt so alone, you’d always be there for me. Your friends and family were like plants in the garden of life for you. You’d grow and nurture everyone around you. I’m so envious of that. I hope I can one day be as good as you. The world has become lesser without you and I need to step up to fill that deficit.

I love you so much.

Joel Payne

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 04, 2026