Burrow, Sylvia Jane

Sydney, NS

December 1, 2025

After more than a decade of fighting a brain tumour and exhausting her treatment options, Sylvia Jane Burrow, professor in the Department of Humanities at Cape Breton University, chose to end her life with medical assistance on December 1, 2025, at the age of 56.

Born in Winnipeg in 1969, Sylvia grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

A devoted mother to Sophia Adele McCarville Burrow, she is also survived by her brothers, William Ashton Burrow, Timothy Edward Burrow, and Robert Alan Burrow; her sister-in-law, Sze Wan Li, wife of Timothy; her nephew, Thomas Patrick Burrow, son of Robert; and her companion animals, Sebastian and Lilac.

Sylvia received a BA from Dalhousie University and MA from the University of Alberta and completed her PhD at the University of Western Ontario in 2003. After visiting professor positions at the University of Utah and the University of Limerick, Sylvia joined the Philosophy Department (latterly, the Department of Humanities) at Cape Breton University.

Sylvia’s work and life exemplified feminist praxis and the East Asian idea of philosophy as a dao, bringing philosophical reflection to the way she lived her life and loved those around her. No less significantly, Sylvia drew from her experience as a woman, a mother, a martial artist, and a teacher in her philosophical work. She will be deeply missed by those who knew her.

Sylvia’s funeral will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel (49 Welton Street, Sydney) on Thursday, December 4th at 1 pm with visitation beginning at noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cape Breton SPCA

Burrow, Sylvia Jane