Benestine Khye Wei Lee

A life that touched so many hearts (and stomachs) will be forever remembered.

Obituary

Ben was born on the 1st of May in 1980, in the Ilford Maternity Hospital in Essex. Ben spent the first five years of his life in England before moving to Malaysia, where he lived for about 6 years before moving to Brunei in 1991. 

After another 6 years in Brunei, he headed off to Malaysia for a couple months before heading to the UK to boarding school in Bedford, and then on to University College London where he graduated with honors in Neuroscience in 2006. However, instead of continuing on to becoming a brain surgeon, he decided to go into finance. 

From there, Ben lived in Geneva, Zurich, and Singapore. In 2016, on a business trip to Sydney, Ben was rushed to the hospital with viral pneumonia. While recuperating, he fell in love and moved here in 2017. 
This little blurb could never do justice to the adventurous life that Ben lived. He loved hard and partied even harder. He was the best son, brother, friend, and partner anyone could ever ask for. 

He was witty, thoughtful, scary (in the kitchen), and talented. 

He was a musician, artist, knitter, sewer, athlete, avid reader, hair dresser, fashion consultant, makeup artist, and most of all (as I'm sure all of you know) a great cook. He loved hosting and cooking for everyone he loved. He would whip up a 3 course dinner that would be better than most restaurants, all while chatting, joking and having a drink. 

Ben's passing has left a huge void, but his memory lives on through the meals that he's served, the laughter that he's inspired, his wicked wit and humor, and a healthy dose of fear of messing around in his kitchen. 

Ben showed us how to live life with purpose, joy, kindness, and good food. I know that he would want us to remember him with smiles instead of tears. 

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November 5, 2025

Missing you every minute. I've had this page open for a long time, not sure what to write here. It's been a very weird year, especially since your absence. I'm so thankful that I was able to spend time with you just a month before you left us. I miss you very very much <3

Nyssa Lee

September 4, 2025

Ben came into my life like a force of nature. We immediately bonded over food, art, music, laughing, learning.

He would often come and cook with me and my son - sometimes I was kicked out of the kitchen so Cassius and Ben could take over!

When Ben got sick, we became closer. Working together to build something to help Cancer patients. That was the person he was - his struggles were just a reason for him to help others. He was selfless, generous, intelligent, warm.

I remember the last time we hugged - it lasted forever. I can still fell him, hear him.

I will miss him greatly, but I know that knowing him has made me a better person, and I'll always be grateful to him for that.

Marque

Marque Kabbaz

August 4, 2025

I will miss you so so much Ben. Thank you for being there for me during my saddest times in college. You were my light and joy. ❤️

Katherine Leong

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Rudi Lee

Katherine Wong

Nichola Lee

Nyssa Lee

Nadia Lee

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Nichola Lee

Nyssa Lee

Nadia Lee

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Benestine Lee

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