Brianna Ruth Payne, age 14, passed away on Wednesday, September 20,2017 at the Children’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington after battling an Ependymoma brain tumor.
Brianna was born June 30, 2003 in Glasgow Montana to Marvin Gardipee and Carla Payne. Brianna grew up in Wolf Point Montana. She lived in Ronan Montana while her mother attended nursing school, lived in Billings MT for one year while she received chemotherapy at Billings Clinic, then moved back home after her mother became a registered nurse. She spent the last two years of her life in Wolf Point where she always said was her home roots.
Brianna was currently a freshman attending Wolf Point High School and member of Wolf People. She loved basketball and one of her most memorable times in her life was playing for the 8th grade Junior High Girl’s Basketball team. She loved dancing at pow wows, round dances, spending time with her cousins, friends, and family. She loved to write,listen to music, and watch netflix movies. Brianna’s favorite memories and special person in her life was her beloved grandpa, Carl Payne.
Brianna loved school and was an honor student. At her Eighth Grade Graduation she received the Presidential Outstanding Education Award. She had future plans to go to Salish Kootenai College to become a social worker to help families in need to pay back what was done for her.
Brianna enjoyed going to Camp Mak A Dream, Camp Braveheart, Walt Disney World Make A Wish Program, Erin’s Hope Project Horseback Riding, Montana Cowboys Kids Event Nile Rodeo, Northeast Montana Relay for Life along with Wolf Point Optimist Club. She lit the hope of flame at the Relay for Life in 2007.
Brianna is survived by her mother Carla Payne,stepdad Brian Chapman, siblings Isaiah Payne, Hunter Chapman, Walker Chapman, Gordon Gardipee, Quannah Gardipee. Her grandmother Margaret Payne, grandpa P John Sutherland, special aunt Ruth Payne (Kaleb) family, uncle Oliver Payne(Ashly) family, uncle Carl Payne (Joni) family. Immediate cousins Kylee and James Payne, Hayden, Riley, Tatum, and Stephanie Payne, Karson Auld. Her best friend Charley Jo Bolman. Extended Gardipee and Payne Family and Numerous friends.
Brianna is preceded in death by her grandpa Carl Payne, her dad Marvin Gardipee, grandma Anna Gardipee, aunt Mariah Smith, uncle John Payne, cousin Ryan Payne, great grandparents Joe White Eagle & Annabelle White Eagle , great grandparents Layton Payne & Joy Ryan Payne.
A wake will be held 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 27 at the Wolf Point Community Hall. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, September 28 at the Wolf Point High School. Interment will follow at the Oswego Presbyterian Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.