Sylvie passed suddenly on August 2, 2025, at the Victoria General Hospital ICU. Née July 18, 1957, in la Ville de Brest, Finistere, Bretagne, France.
Predeceased by Jeanette Pelletier (mother), Jean Argouarch (father), Martin (sister). Sylvie is survived by Chloe Lizu Aitken (cherished daughter), Hugh Philip Aitken (partner of 28 years), and siblings Chantal, Francis (Mireille), Denis, Cathy (sister-in-law), nieces and nephews (Cecile, Remy, Shivli, Madhuri, Sherin, Lou) and beloved family K9, Chanel.
As a girl, when not working hard at school, she developed passions for dancing, playing cards and gymnastics. Her childhood summers tenting on the sandy seashore of Bretagne led to a lifelong passion for the ocean, scuba diving, snorkelling and all things aquatic. A ceaseless traveller from her earliest years, she hitchhiked through France, Italy, and Wales, camping and sleeping in fields and barns. It remained an immense joy for her to sleep in a tent in nature, appreciating the simple life.
Her 50-year career in medicine and caring for others began in 1975 and continued till her passing. MDing in France, she repeated her medical degree in English in Canada upon immigration (1983), starting in the premature baby ward in Moncton Hospital, with patients undemanding of her English, before specializing in psychiatry at Dalhousie University and geriatric psychiatry in Vancouver, earning her FRCP(C). She arrived in Victoria in 1996 and became known for her patient centred care. Her patients were the fortunate beneficiaries of a practitioner who left no stone unturned. Long days of work at the Memorial Pavilion and RJH patient wards had evolved to oversight of several care facilities—Sandringham, Broadmead, Sunrise, Summit and others. Always active, she intrepidly biked to them in fair and foul weather.
Despite her relentless, indefatigable drive to provide excellent care, Sylvie had an open, fun-loving spirit and warmth that deeply touched everyone she met personally and professionally and drew friends and colleagues to her. Sylvie had a deep compassion for people and forged lifelong loyal friendships that endured over time and distance. A proud daughter of Brittany, she kept in touch from afar and visited her birthplace often. She had an outsized impact on those around her and her sudden passing leaves a giant hole across the Victoria care community.
The active and fulfilling life Sylvie and Hugh enjoyed together was multiplied ten-fold with the arrival of Lizu in 2005. The light of their life added to their adventures and child-raising years were enriched by a circle of like-minded parents, and more friendships forged.
Heart felt thanks are extended to all the staff at VGH who guided us through her last week, and to all dear friends and neighbours helping us through this senseless tragedy.
A Memorial Service will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria BC, Wednesday, August 20th, 2025, at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask donations may be made to the following marine focussed charities:
Mon cœur este avec vous,
Mon corps est parti avec le vent,
Mais mon âme viendra chaque nuit
Ecouter la mer contre votre porte.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
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65 Responses
I was deeply saddened to hear of Sylvie’s passing, and heartbroken that she was taken so suddenly and so cruelly from a life she embraced with such energy and dedication.
In the years I worked in the same field, I had the good fortune of many encounters with Sylvie—sometimes as colleagues concerned for a patient’s wellbeing, and at other times simply sharing stories from Brittany, a place close to both our hearts. Those conversations remain vivid to me, as do her warmth, humour, and unwavering commitment to those in her care.
My heartfelt condolences to her family, and to all who loved her.
Dr Argouarch provided our family with excellent medical and kind, thoughtful support for many years.
She was a wonderful lady and is sadly missed. Our sincere condolences to her family.
Hugh and Lizu,
Our hearts are with you as you deal with the huge vacuum of Sylvie’s absence.
We will remember forever the good times hiking with her and her true passion and joy for swimming in every lake and in any weather.
We truly miss her.
All our love … Claudio and LillAnne
To the family, I give my heartfelt condolences. I recall many bedside and hallway conversations at Royal Jubilee Hospital, as we navigated best solutions for the elderly and palliative patients, together. We used to smile and chuckle meeting up multiple times over the years, both charged with some of the most difficult social and medical problems on the wards. Sylvie brought cheer, thoughtfulness and skill to complex scenarios.
It was always enjoyable to hike with Sylvie. She had such a pleasant nature and loved the outdoors. I also feel fortunate to have seen her in her professional role at a psychogeriatric conference, seeing her dedicated and sympathetic approach to her work.
Hugh and Lizu, I’m so sorry for your loss, and for ours too.
God bless Sylvie. A beautiful soul.
May she rest in peace.
Linda and I are extremely sad to hear this news.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Hugh & Lizu.
Sylvie was a wonderfully generous, warm hearted and compassionate person.
She will be fondly and respectfully remembered by all of the medical colleagues and health care professionals who had the good fortune to work along side her.
Sylvie’s warm smile, engaging laugh and the twinkle in her eye live on in my memories of her.
My sincere condolences to Hugh, Lizu, and Sylvie’s family and friends.
Lizu and Hugh – so very sorry for your loss and to all that knew and loved her.
Hugh and Lizu, So sorry to hear about the loss of Sylvie and the important place she was in your lives. Hoping ample good memories will bring peace in your loss.
Sylvie was a joyful, compassionate, thoughtful person and physician and I am lucky to have worked with her in caring for seniors in Victoria. I remember and cherish running into her in busy hallways and always seeing her bright smile. I am so sorry for your loss and for the loss to the community in all the ways that will be felt.