Josette "Josie" Jones

Josette "Josie" Marieanne Jones, age 78, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, in Windsor, Vermont, after a long and stubborn battle with ALS. The world is a dimmer place with her passing, but her immense legacy of love, warmth, and joy will live on.

Josie was born on March 27, 1948, in Hartford, Connecticut. Her early childhood in Chicago, Illinois, and Manchester, New Hampshire, included a decade spent in a children’s home. Facing poverty and the disdain of others who looked down on her for being different, Josie took that hardship and transformed it into a lifetime of radical compassion, showing others the kindness she did not always receive.

Determined to serve, she put herself through nursing school, graduating from the Boston Children’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1969. She began her career while living in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, commuting to Monadnock Community Hospital. In 1980, after moving to Windsor, Vermont, she joined Mt. Ascutney Hospital. She trained to become a cardiac intensive care nurse and later transitioned to managing and expanding the Cardiac Rehab program, a position she proudly held until her retirement.

Josie was a devoted wife to Lawrence "Larry" A. Jones, whom she lovingly managed to deal with for just shy of 50 years of marriage. She was a fierce protector and mother to Tamara Moxham (Jason Graves), Dale Fullerton (Michelle Fullerton), and Sarah Jones Fairchild (Adam Fairchild). Her absolute favorite title was Nana. Her four grandchildren—Dylan Fullerton, Owen Fullerton, Brooks Fairchild, and Harper Fairchild—were the true light of her life.

Perhaps her second favorite title was Quilter. As an active member, treasurer, and retreat coordinator for the Heart of the Land Quilt Guild, Josie made hundreds of quilts over her lifetime. She displayed her artistry at Billings Farm & Museum and won multiple local awards. More importantly, she brought warmth and comfort to anyone lucky enough to receive one of her masterpieces, including families who had lost children or lost everything to disasters.

Josie loved to travel, camp, hike, sail, and observe the beauty of life. She and Larry made three memorable trips to Alaska, where Josie proved to be the true fisherman of the family, catching salmon in the Kenai River and halibut in Cook Inlet. She was an avid birder, keeping her back porch bird feeders full year-round. She was a passionate gardener of flowers, vegetables, and wildflower pollinator plots, the vibrant results of which remain visible to this day.

Josie’s laugh could be heard for miles and encapsulated exactly who she was: generous, kind, accepting, giving, loving, and joyous. To meet her was to feel welcomed; once you were in her circle, you were family. Her door was always open, her ear was always there to listen, and she constantly looked out for others.

When her daughter Sarah wanted to join the Girl Scouts, Josie stepped up to become a troop leader so she could participate. Deeply invested in supporting youth, she also served as a Windsor County Mentor to help children who needed extra guidance. She ensured food was always on the porch destined for the local food bank, donated clothes and winter jackets to anyone in need, and adopted families at Christmas. [1]

She leaves behind her devoted husband, Larry; her sister, Patricia Voisard; her children, Tamara, Dale, and Sarah; and her four cherished grandchildren. She was predeceased by her father, Lionel, and her brother, Douglas "Blues" Voisard.

In keeping with Josie's explicit wishes, there will be no formal or traditional funeral services. She will be cremated, and her ashes will be spread among her beloved wildflowers.

True to her joyous spirit, a "kick-ass" party to celebrate her incredible life will be planned for a future date.

To honor Josie's memory, the family asks that you choose kindness and acceptance: buy a bird feeder, spread wildflowers, donate food, clothes, or winter jackets to a local shelter, adopt a family at the holidays, or make a donation to an ALS organization of your choice. Most importantly, laugh and enjoy your loved ones.