Lita Barretto Clark, 92, of Fairfax Station, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026, in the presence of family.

She was born in Manila, Philippines, on September 19, 1933, and was baptized Amalia Rosario Maria de Cervellone Barretto, though she was always lovingly known as Lita by family and friends. Later, she became “Bita” (grandmother in Spanish) to her grandchildren, who adored her.

After attending Holy Ghost College and the University of Santo Tomás, Lita worked as a receptionist for Mobil Oil in Manila. One day in 1957, a group of American Mobil Oil geophysicists visiting on business stopped by the office, and one of the men asked her to dinner before leaving for the field. She politely declined, explaining that she was already committed that evening—though in truth she was uncertain of his “bachelorhood.” After the visitors departed, Lita went to the HR office and checked his employment card, discovering that he was indeed single. When the group returned to the office, the same confident and somewhat forward gentleman asked her to dinner again, and this time she accepted. That day marked the beginning of Lita and Don Morse Clark’s life together, which led to their marriage on April 17, 1958, in Manila.

Newly married life took Lita to Iquique, Chile, and later to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, before the couple settled in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1963. Lita and Don were married for 38 years until his passing in 1997.

Lita was a devoted member of Saint Louis Catholic Church in Alexandria, where she volunteered in numerous ministries for more than 50 years. In 2018, she moved to Fairfax Station to live with her daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons, and joined St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church.

The most important thing in Lita’s life aside from her faith, was her family. She was deeply devoted to her son, David, and her daughter, Julia, and adored her six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She was a wonderful cook who loved preparing meals—especially traditional Filipina dishes and desserts. Her homemade lumpia and ensaymadas were her secret weapon.

Lita was preceded in death by her parents, Tomas and Amalia Barretto, and four of her six siblings: brothers Tomas “Chato,” Rafael “Piling,” Manuel “Chiquitin,” and sister Tessie.

She is survived by her sisters May Avecilla and Tina Vaca; her son David Clark (Debra); and her daughter Julia MacInnis (Jack). She also leaves her beloved grandchildren Taylor Clark, Kirsty Hairfield (Robby), Amanda Kirsch (Robin), Jackson MacInnis, Emma Clark, and Harry MacInnis, as well as her cherished great-granddaughter, Miss Sutton Hairfield.

A Mass in celebration of Lita’s life will be held on April 7 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church in Alexandria. A private graveside service will be held later this spring at Fairview Cemetery in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania where she will be laid to rest with her husband.

Her life reflected the Filipino values she carried with her always—faith, generosity, and a deep devotion to family, and her love will continue to live on in those she leaves behind.