Clara DeSpirito calls it a blessing.

Earlier this month, the lifelong Barrington resident celebrated her 100th birthday. Her family and friends made the day extra special, as they held a car parade past her house on Middle Highway. She was touched by the thoughtfulness.

"I thank God I reached 100 years old,” she said. “I’m really blessed."

Clara still attends Mass every week at Holy Angels Church on Maple Avenue, just as she has for all her life.

Clara grew up in a house on Middle Highway, the third oldest of six children. She married Delfino DeSpirito in 1943. He owned Brookside Dairy — a fixture in Barrington — and Clara and her husband moved into her current home on Middle Highway. They had three daughters, all of whom still live in town. Clara has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. (Delfino passed away in 1985.)

“My family is very important to me,” she said. “We’ve always been close.”

Clara and her family worked hard to make their way in Barrington. She worked at the handkerchief factory in Warren and later for the Texaco Oil Company. She also owned her own hair salon — it was called “Cla-Del’s.” At first, the salon was located inside her house, and later she moved it to a spot on Norma Circle.

She worked for the Barrington Police Department, as a crossing guard for more than 20 years, and then as a police dispatcher. She also worked in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office under Arlene Violet, and for the East Providence Police Department as a BCI clerk.

At 83 years old, she retired.

Clara said she always enjoyed working. That is how she was raised.

More recently, before the pandemic, she spent her time meeting a group of friends at the Dunkin Donuts. She also used to knit, go ice skating, and take bicycle rides. She loves to cook and make Italian Christmas cookies. For years, Clara volunteered at the Holy Angels Summer Festival — she was well-known for frying the doughboys.

Earlier this month, Clara received a papal blessing from Pope Francis during Mass. It was bestowed upon her by Holy Angels priest Father David Masello.

Clara was honored to receive the blessing.