MIDDLESEX, VT Frederica Joy Lessor Alarie Ring Jones of Middlesex died quietly Wednesday at her home surrounded by her family. She was 86 and had been in declining health for several years. She was born Aug. 16, 1927 in Burlington, the daughter of Julia and Frederick Lessor. She grew up in Burlington and married her childhood sweetheart, Conrad Alarie in 1945 and was widowed in 1963. She fell in love and married Benjamin Albert Ring in 1965, and was widowed again in 1989. In 1990 she eloped with her flying instructor, Donald G Jones, with whom she spent the rest of her long and happy life. Her employment over the years included delivering telegrams for Western Union, selling and repairing televisions, raising animals from ducks and geese to beefalo, and local politics. In addition to raising her own family, she took in temporarily displaced children as readily as she adopted stray cats. She was an active member of the Middlesex United Methodist Church, and was generally beloved for her optimism and energy. As an only child she often wished to have a dozen children, and over the years she was blessed with thirteen. She is survived by five sons and stepsons, David Ring of Medical Lake, Wash., Wilson Ring of Waterbury Center, Donald Jones Jr. of Kissimmee, Fla., Mark Jones of Burlington and Robin Jones of Vergennes; six daughters and step daughters, Julia Alarie and Patricia Markle of Williston, Ruth Ring of Wichita Kan., Hope Ring of Charlton Mass., Laura Ring of Chicago, and Lynda Snow of Gilbert Ariz.; 22 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by a daughter, Mary Jane McGrath, a step son, Howard Jones, and a grandson, Jason Ring. Calling hours will be held from 6:00-8:00 on Friday February 7, 2014 at the Guare and Sons Funeral Home, School Street, Montpelier. A funeral will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Middlesex United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Middlesex United Methodist Church, 10 Church Street, Middlesex, Vt. 05602