Local French singer Beland dies from cancer at 65

Quebec Country signer Pier Béland is shown in a handout photo. Béland, 65, died Tuesday, on the eve of the launch of her last album, planned Wednesday, her first in 10 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, EDC Gestion et Musique

MONTREAL—Local singer Pier Beland has died from cancer. She was 65.

Friend and manager Eduardo Da Costa said the Quebec artist died peacefully surrounded by love ones. She had been diagnosed with uterus cancer last July.

“It is time for me to leave in a couple of days. The illness will have won the battle” Beland wrote in a public letter last week. Her final studio album—‘Ce Que Je Suis’—was released on Tuesday,

“I put all of my heart into this gem of an album,” Beland wrote about her first original work in 10 years.

Beland, who was born in Montreal, was the daughter of celebrity humorist Real Beland. She began her career in country music, receiving three ADISQ nominations in the early 2000s.

She leaves behind her husband Andre Veronneault and family.