It was no surprise in 2011 when Masako Suyko Griffin announced to her family she was going to get involved in beauty pageants.
After all, to be in the presence of this Queen was an unforgettable experience. She always owned the room, said her sister Alista Stevenson. “People were captivated by her confidence, smile, walk and spunky personality. She was mind blowing and always made people feel comfortable.”
Although she never won, she got 2nd place in The Big Beautiful Women Pageant, and she later became the face of the event, helping to organize and promote this celebration of plus-size beauty. The event began in Philadelphia but since has expanded to several states. And Masako, or Saki, lives on in the organization’s efforts to combat domestic violence.
Her boyfriend at the time, DeSchae Lowry, was convicted in her murder in Upper Darby on Aug. 3, 2014 and received life in prison.
Masako was the youngest of four siblings but as far as Alista and her brother, William Griffin, are concerned, she was the mother figure of the household. They even sometimes called her Mom—when they weren’t calling her by her other many nicknames, such as Saka or Rok.
Alista said that when all the siblings attended the same school, teachers would call Saka into their classrooms to have conversations about her siblings’ behaviors so she would deliver the reports back to their parents. Being the mature one, she would dutifully tell their parents despite her siblings begging her not to. Even Miss Peggy, Saki’s mother, would also refer to her as mom because of her maturity she posed and how she could control the other children.
As a child growing up in West Philadelphia, Saka found God’s love and took her calling very serious. One would find her singing in the choir, ushering, praise dancing and as she got older, she attended Floyds School of Evangelism where she became an Evangelist.
“As children I recall I always sent Saki into the room to ask for stuff and tell her not to tell her I sent you, Alista said. “Of course the adults would say, did Alista send you? And she would say yes and I would get in trouble. I loved my baby sister she was always honest no matter what.”
Still, Saki had a grace and pure innocence with her. “Saki always did this thing where she would chew on her tongue,” her sister said. “it was so cute.”
Saki was big on family and placed family first. “When we went to her house everyone knew we had to clean before you got a meal from her. Saki was a bargain shopper, big on cleaning, a helper, loving and hard dedicated worker.”
One day Saki and her sister Alista were talking and Saki revealed to her that she was pregnant and was keeping her child. At the time Saki was 15 years old and in the 9th grade but her determination and her motherly wit helped her excel as a mother to her first born De’Montae Griffin. Saki completed her education and graduated from West Philadelphia High School.
As an adult Saki would continue to be the loving, caring, mature woman that would always be there for her two children; Michaia came 13 years later. She often worked two jobs at a time to ensure they had all of their needs and wants fulfilled.
She loved to entertain at her home and loved to cook but it wasn’t her best quality, according to her sister Alista. “One day we were together and I saw her making Spaghetti and Saki poured oil into the sauce and after that I was like nope you can’t cook for me!”
Resources are available for people and communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Click here for more information.
