Sister Jean Alice McGoff, age 97, of Oldenburg, Indiana was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the second of three children. She is the daughter of Lawrence and Alice (Nee: Doyle) McGoff and they preceded her in death.
Jean Alice, who served as a member of the Indianapolis, Indiana Community of The Order of Discalced Carmelites, received the habit and the name Agnes of the Virgin Mother in January 1950, made her first profession in January 1951, and her final vows in January 1954.
Jean Alice was one of the foundresses of the Association of Contemplative Sisters (ACS) and one of the foundresses of the Carmelite Communities Associated (CCA). These groups tended to foster new relationships, as she did with her gift of friendship.
As a Sub-prioress (6 years), Prioress (27 years), and novice mistress, Jean Alice read widely. She led and encouraged a collaborative style of leadership, embracing and leading in the spirit of Vatican II. Her reserved nature gave her a patient leadership style that tended to let all things evolve in their own time. She was also willing to take risks, saying “A person growing in holiness takes risks”, which for her meant that a deep, interior relationship with God in prayer is where one waits for and tries to respond faithfully to divine invitations.
Jean Alice moved on to a new life in God on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
A Liturgy of Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 5th at the Sisters of St. Francis Chapel in Oldenburg, Indiana, with the burial following in the convent cemetery. For those unable to attend, services will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/fXHUZsEVZ5s?feature=share. For online condolences, please go to www.weigelfh.com.