Clara Mae (Wheeler) Grabowski , 78, of St. Johnsbury, passed away Monday evening, Aug. 23, 2010, at The Pines Rehabilitation and Health Center in Lyndon. She was born June 6, 1932, in St. Johnsbury, the daughter of Merl and Gwendolyn (Sibley) Wheeler. Clara attended St. Johnsbury Academy and graduated in 1951. Inspired to be a teacher, she also attended Lyndon Teacher's College (now known as Lyndon State College), earning an education degree in 1955. In the summer of 1957, Clara met John Grabowski, and they were married December 1957. For over 30 years, Clara taught at all educational levels, from graded school to the college level. Eventually, she found that helping students to improve their reading, and learning skills, were her true instructional calling. During the latter part of her educational career, Clara taught in the Barnet graded school system, Lake Region Union High School in Orleans, Oxbow High School in Bradford, and Community College of Vermont in St. Johnsbury. After retiring from teaching, Clara kept busy by tutoring students from her home. She had great joy in working on daily lesson plans, and one-to-one learning with the children she tutored. Outside of teaching, Clara loved her home, her sons and growing fresh vegetables in her garden. She was also a very faithful and devoted member of Union Baptist Church in Waterford. Clara was predeceased by her beloved husband John in 1969. She was also predeceased in May 2010 by her brother Merl "Gene" Wheeler Jr., Gerald R. Boardman in 2006, Wendall H. Boardman in 2004, and Elizabeth Riche of Carthage, N.Y. Survivors include her two sons, John Grabowski and his wife Debra of Raymond, N.H., and Merl Grabowski of Wells River; three grandchildren, Matthew, Nicole and James Grabowski of Raymond, N.H.; two brothers, Floyd Wheeler and wife Doris of California, and Carroll Wheeler and wife Lois of St. Johnsbury; three sisters, Eleanor Skinner of St. Johnsbury, Myrle Leithead and husband Bob of St. Johnsbury, and Karlene Smith of Glover. Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. at Union Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Danville Green Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Union Baptist Church, 932 U.S. Route 5, Waterford, VT 05819.