Who is Sylvie from The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and what is their importance?

Sylvie is Jean's wife and the mother of his children. We are unaware of whether the couple is separated or divorced, as at the time of his stroke, Jean has moved out of the family home and is living with a new girlfriend. Sylvie does, however, bring Céleste and Théophile to visit Jean in the hospital, nd while the children are gathering their things to leave, Sylvie and Jean share a moment.