Hyejin Sul Lee

A few hours before she peacefully passed, Hyejin said to her husband, “Jesus is holding me. He loves me.” Hyejin Sul Lee was born on April 10, 1990. She was the younger daughter of Wonhee and Seeun, and a little sister to Sharon. She grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, where she spent her childhood singing in the school choir, dancing, and copying Sharon’s every move. In high school, she sang in an a cappella group, Bella, traveling with them, and opening for big acts. Excelling in academics at Robinson Secondary School led Hyejin to Duke University, where she majored in Public Policy and Psychology, and met Dennis Lee, her “hubs” or “hubby,” as she liked to call him. During college, Hyejin devoted herself to fostering deep relationships, exploring and growing her faith, and learning different ways to bring about change in the world. Hyejin rose to leadership positions at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where she took charge of freshman outreach, planning events and retreats. She continued singing in college, with the worship team and Temptasians, a Duke a cappella group. Friends remember her for her signature winged eyeliner, myriad of hand motions, blow-out birthday parties with Agnes, and dancing queen skills. Hyejin listened without judgment, encouraged other people’s dreams, challenged people to step out of their comfort zones, and gave sage advice. She was generous with her time, showing up for friends and loved ones in such constant and loving ways. Hyejin and Dennis’ relationship began on March 20, 2010, after months of courtship involving tenting together for the Duke-Carolina game and many late-night study dates. Shortly after graduating from Duke, Hyejin and Dennis both moved to San Francisco to work in tech. She thrived in the city, blitzing through the ranks at BrightEdge, Uber, and LinkedIn. She also discovered her love for the outdoors in the Bay Area with its magnificent mountains and endless trails. Hyejin and Dennis often spent their weekends hiking, watching movies, and connecting with friends. Among all of her impressive achievements, family was Hyejin’s biggest accomplishment. Since she was young, Hyejin was often the backbone and glue for her family, her parents, and sister. She loved them dearly. Having a family of her own brought an even greater joy and purpose in her life. On June 27, 2015, she married the love of her life, Dennis, at a beautiful Sonoma vineyard. That day couldn’t have been more summery. There were peaches for escort cards, paper flowers from Etsy (because Dennis had a budget!), and a dance floor as the centerpiece. She planned everything perfectly to a tee, per usual, and the couple choreographed their first dance to “Beauty and the Beast.” A few years later, Hyejin and Dennis moved to Durham and bought a house, sight unseen. On April 8, 2020, she gave birth to their first precious daughter, Nayomi. Two years later, on September 14, 2022, Hyejin gave birth to their second child, the adorable Gabryella. Gabryella’s arrival completed their family. The girls inherited their mom’s sass and spunk, and Hyejin absolutely adored being their mom. She loved spending time with them at the park, doing arts and crafts, and cooking with them. And, of course, she loved dressing them up in the cutest Duke gear. Hyejin’s faith was a cornerstone of her full-to-the-brim life. She questioned and invited other people to question. She thought critically about the church. Injustice made her angry. In the summer of 2023, Hyejin was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Through the uncertainties of her prognosis, doctor’s appointments, and chemo treatments, Hyejin channeled her inner Wonder Woman. She faced cancer head-on, trusting that she’s the daughter of the heavenly King. She wrote, “I want my girls to see their mom as someone who is brave in the face of scary and hard things. Because that is how I want them to see themselves. I want them to know that in them also lives their inner warrior.” During her last days, Hyejin inspired all of us with her resilience, her deep and rich faith, and her unwavering spirit. She drew from Jesus’ strength to connect with each one of her favorite people and made choices for herself with her signature decisiveness. Hyejin is home now, while the following people are still earthside: her husband, Dennis; daughters, Nayomi and Gabryella; parents, Wonhee and Seeun; sister, Sharon; brother-in-law, George; nephews, Maddox, Aidan, and Ethan; and nieces, Emily and Evelyn; family by marriage, Shirfen, Clement, and Jen; and dog, Kobe. We’ll miss her incomparable charm and wit. ------------------ We will have a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, March 16 at 3pm at Christ Central Church: 1004 N Mangum St, Durham, NC 27701 Please consider wearing colors to help celebrate H's life. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the family: https://tinyurl.com/5csy5hmz