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Sylvie Juliette Argouarch
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Sylvie Argouarch Obituary
July 1957 - August 2025
Sylvie passed suddenly on August 2, 2025, at the Victoria General Hospital ICU. Born 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.
Mon cœur este avec vous,
Mon corps est parti avec le vent,
Mais Mon. âme viendra chaque nuit
Ecouter la mer contre votre porte.
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.
https://www.raincoast.org
https://seachangesociety.com
https://www.cousteau.org
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com
Memorial Events
for Sylvie Argouarch
Funeral services provided by:
The Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC V8Y 1B4
Memories and Condolences
for Sylvie Argouarch
Sponsored by the Victoria Times Colonist.
7 Entries
Tina Webber
August 17, 2025
So devastating to hear of Hugh and Lizu´s loss and such a loss to our community - thank you to Sylvie for the amazing work she did for our patients and for being such a fantastic colleague always
Debbie Campbell
August 17, 2025
I had the privilege of working with Sylvie for many years as a social worker. It is a tremendous loss for all of her patients and families. Her commitments and advocacy for her patients was incredible. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to her daughter and partner as I can only imagine the grief you must be feeling having lost such an incredible woman. My sincere condolences.
Robert Thompson
August 16, 2025
First my sincere condolences to her daughter, siblings & immediate family. Dr, Argouarch, an excellent doctor, was my
late Mother's geriatric psychiatrist for many years. My mother's eventual emotional stability was due to Dr. "A"
whose professional, caring treatment of her was outstanding. Sadly, the medical community has lost, all too young, a superb member. ([email protected])
Theresa Bacon
August 16, 2025
Dear DR. Arguarch - without your beautiful and loving soul, and devotion in your field, my good friend May Whitehouse, a lifelong sufferer of schizophrenia, she would have never thrived so well.
Theresa Bacon
August 16, 2025
Dr. Arguarch without your caring soul and utmost devotion, my good friend May Whitehouse, a long-time sufferer of schizophrenia, we would be short of hope and joy!. Je vous aime bien, cher docteur.
Christine Cosack
August 16, 2025
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 practitioners concerned for a patient´s wellbeing, and at other times simply sharing stories from Bretagne, a place where I too spent much time as a young woman. 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.
Danica Gleave
August 16, 2025
My deepest condolences. I had the privilege of being her student in 1997, and admired her combination of human kindness and medical smarts so much. She taught me so much and was a wonderful colleague later during my practice years. I am so so sorry for your loss.
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