tributions to their personal success. However, her nurturing spirit never let her take full credit for the instrumental role that she played in her students lives'. Before her retirement, Loretta was mentioned in "Who's Who in American Education", a distinction limited to individuals demonstrating outstanding achievement in the field and contributing significantly to society. After retirement, she relocated to Fort Lauderdale, FL where she continued to mentor and inspire many youths in various ways. Loretta was a proud mother. She had four children, sons Charles Taylor III, Malik Taylor, and James "Jimmy" Blake II, and a daughter, Christina Marie Mason (who died pre-birth). To know Loretta meant knowing her three sons. She talked about her sons all of the time. She always shared rewards, concerts, graduations, advances, promotions, and even obstacles in growth concerning her sons to everyone. Loretta stressed to her son's the importance of education, respect, and faith, and always encouraged her sons to persevere in the face of obstacles. In this, she led by example and gave her sons behind the scenes support in whatever fields they decided to pursue. Loretta was a woman of strong faith. On December 3, 1971, she began practicing Nichiren Buddhism, in which chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is used to reveal one's inherent Buddha nature, unlocking the innate power and wisdom to transform, and create absolute happiness in, one's life. She became an active member of Soka Gakkai International, a lay Buddhist organization with the collective goal of realizing world peace through each person becoming happy. All three of her sons practiced Nichiren Buddhism with her and, together, Loretta and her sons strove to become a nucleus embodying love, compassion, communication, and spirituality. For more than 43 years, Loretta supported the advancement of world peace through her Buddhist practice and in her involvement with SGI-USA. Loretta held various leadership positions within the SGI first in PA and then in FL. She created many lifelong friendships within the SGI, encouraged many members to practice, developed in her heart a strong bond with her spiritual mentor, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, and particularly devoted great effort to supporting the youth in the organization. For those who knew Loretta, there was never a dull moment. She talked and LIVED every moment of every day. She liked to crack jokes and was always looking for a way to bring a laugh to everyone around her. Generally anyone who met Loretta, even for a second, had a life-long bond with her because she gave her heart in everything she did. She loved music and dancing. When there was a party, she would not be the one sitting down. Loretta had a "need for speed" spirit and loved fast cars. She enjoyed going to car shows and to the racetrack and, on occasion, enjoyed racing the quarter mile to see how well her newly polished car would perform. She was even given the nickname "Ms Hurry" by other car enthusiasts. Loretta loved to travel and went on many cruises as well as traveling to Japan, Egypt, the Caribbean, and all over the US, in her lifetime. Loretta cherished family connections, and strove to re-engage and maintain bonds with her extended family. Loretta's love for family extended beyond blood relatives as well, but anyone who knew Loretta, knows that they were her family, with no discounts given. Loretta is survived by brothers Junius, Charles, and Theodore, sons Charles III, Malik, and Jimmy, daughters-in-law Althea and Heather, grandchildren Olivia, Lleuwyn, Jericho, Chris, Majai, Niyja, and Omarion, extended family, comrades in faith, and friends. MEMORIAL SERVICES: One in Florida and one in Pennsylvania will be held as follows FL - Saturday, 12/20/14, 5 PM, at the SGI Everglades Center, 20000 Manatee Isle Dr., Weston, FL 33332, Phone: 954-349-5200 PA - Saturday, 1/17/15, 2 PM, at the SGI Philadelphia Center. 2000 Hamilton St, Suite 210, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Phone 215-569-2144 IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Kindly send donations to one of the following: 1. CECIL B. MOORE- MARIE HICKS AWARD FUND. This is a scholarship fund that was set up by Loretta and her brothers in honor of their mother, Marie, for her efforts as one of the original plaintiffs in the 1968 case to integrate Philadelphia's Girard College Private School in which Loretta's brothers, Charles and Theodore, in attending the school, ended the school's long history of segregation. The fund enables the first ever Award Fund at Girard endowed in memory of the Civil Rights Pioneers, granted to a deserving student for their leadership by example, commitment to courage, and achieving victory over adversity by walking in the footsteps of Mrs. Hicks, Attorney Moore and the many others who are committed to sustaining the motivation, engagement & memories of our civil rights pioneers. Donations are tax deductible and may be made by mailing a check payable to "Girard College Development Fund" with "in memory of Loretta Hicks-Mason" in the memo box to: Girard College Alumni Association - Development Fund S. College Ave. Phila., PA 19121-4860 Attn: Cecil More - Marie Hicks Award Fund Direct any further questions to Bruce Bekker, Office of Advancement GDCF at 215-787-4489 or bbekker@girardcollege.edu 2. SOKA UNIVERSITY. Helping students learn how to create value in their lives, their communities and the world are the central tenets of Soka Education. Soka University has built a tradition of humanistic learning and scholarship where the focus is on each student's growth and development. Donations may be made online at http://www.soka.edu/giving with "donation in memory of Loretta Mason" in the comments box or mail a check payable to "Soka University of America" with "in memory of Loretta Mason" in the memo box to: Linda Kennedy Director of Philanthropy Development Department University Drive Aliso Viejo, CA 92656