Carmella DiPardo had only recently emigrated from Italy when she got a nickname from her classmates at Schenley High School. A few of the girls called her "Queen" because of the furry collar on her new coat. Thinking they were making fun of her, she punched one girl, breaking her glasses. The girl's father demanded that Carmella's family pay for new glasses.

Last week, "Queen" was queen for a day as she celebrated her 100th birthday at Sunrise Senior Living in Scott.

She was born on Sept. 30, 1908, and immigrated to Oakland with her family as a teenager. She married Charles DiPardo, who ran Chuck's Barber Shop at the corner of Semple and Bates streets. Mrs. DiPardo worked alongside her husband and enjoyed talking to customers. She also worked at Rymer's Candies in Oakland, where she learned to decorate cakes and cookies.

The DiPardos were married for 68 years until Mr. DiPardo died in 1997 at age 92. They had two sons, Dan of Green Tree and Charles of Parkland, Fla., and six grandchildren.