We’ve got some incredibly sad news to share today.
Vancouver has lost one of its beloved culinary icons.
On July 2, longtime Malaysian restaurant Mamalee announced on Instagram that Betty Lee, the founder and heart behind the business, has passed away after a battle with cancer.
She was 71.
Betty was diagnosed in March 2024 and, according to the heartfelt post shared by her family, she remained full of strength, hope, and love throughout the difficult journey.
Despite the toll of chemo and radiation, she never gave up her dream of one day returning to her beloved kitchen.
She passed just after midnight on June 27, surrounded by her husband and children, Kristine and Edwin.
If you’ve lived in Vancouver and ever craved Malaysian comfort food, chances are you’ve tasted Betty’s cooking.
Her Hainanese chicken and rice has long been hailed as some of the best in the city – rich in flavor and soul.
But what made her food truly special wasn’t just the taste. It was the warmth and resilience behind it.
Born in Kuala Lumpur and raised in a family of twelve, Betty learned to cook by necessity, using humble ingredients to create nourishing meals.
That same ingenuity and heart would go on to define her legacy here in Canada.
In 1991, she took over a modest cafe on West Broadway and began serving Malaysian food – a bold move at a time when few knew what to expect from the cuisine.
What followed was a journey filled with both triumph and heartbreak.
After a car accident in 1995 left her partially paralyzed, Betty fought through chronic health challenges to keep her dream alive.
Even when the restaurant was forced to relocate in 2005, she pushed forward, reopening just three months later and transforming Cafe D’Lite into a Vancouver staple.
In 2013, the name officially changed to Mamalee, a tribute to her identity, spirit, and mission: to bring the taste of home to her community.
For Richmond locals, you may remember Cafe D’Lite which was in the Aberdeen Centre food court.
Yep – that was Mamalee’s work too.
In 2023, the family opened a second Mamalee location in Chinatown, further expanding Betty’s reach and reaffirming the love that Vancouver holds for her food and story.
The announcement of Betty’s passing has already sparked an outpouring of tributes from longtime customers and community members.
While Betty is no longer physically with us, her spirit remains deeply embedded in the kitchens of both Mamalee locations, where her children will continue to carry the torch.
Rest in peace, Mamalee. Your taste of home will never be forgotten.
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