Clara (Dalessio) DeSpirito, 100 years young, of Barrington, RI, died peacefully at home and surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. She was the wife of the late Delfino DeSpirito.

Born in Barrington, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Maria (Acciardo) Dalessio.

Clara worked as a dispatcher for the Barrington Police Department for 25 years, then as a BCI clerk for the East Providence Police Department for 24 years, before retiring in 2004. She was a member of the Barrington Senior Center, a faithful communicant of Holy Angels Church, and a member of the former St. Anthony’s Society at the parish. Her fried doughboys were always a popular attraction during Holy Angels’ Summer Festivals.

Throughout the years, Clara enjoyed family gatherings, cooking, baking, knitting and crocheting, socializing with friends, eating sweets, playing penny slots, and sitting on her front porch, often to watch golf being played at Rhode Island Country Club. She loved life and she lived it to the fullest.

Clara leaves daughters, Lorraine Derois, Judy (Joseph) Pine, and Patricia (Bart) Stanzione, all of Barrington; grandchildren Eric and Shawn DeHart, Danielle (Bill) Cook, and Jennifer (Patrick) DePrisco; and great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Elizabeth Clara, Ava and Sophia.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Flora Nacci and Joseph, Frank, William and Romeo Dalessio.

Funeral services will be held on March 31, Wednesday of Holy Week, from Smith Funeral & Memorial Services, 8 Schoolhouse Road, Warren. Visiting hours will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at Holy Angels Church, 341 Maple Ave., Barrington. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will take place at Santa Maria del Campo Cemetery, Barrington. All current COVID-19 restrictions (facial coverings and physical distancing) must be observed at all services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Holy Angels Church would be appreciated.

Information/On-Line Condolences please visit - www.wjsmithfh.com