Alison Goss Obituary

Alison Jean Goss, née Harper, 77, passed away peacefully in Oakdale, Minnesota, on May 28th, 2025, with her children at her side. She is survived by her daughter, Cory Goss of Hatillo, Costa Rica; her son, Peter Goss of Minneapolis; her brother, Donald Harper of Scottsdale, Arizona; her sister, Carol Browning of Ashland, Oregon; and her five grandsons. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and best friend John Goss.



Alison's artistic inclinations led her to quilting as a way to be creatively employed at home, and so her career began in 1980 when she taught a class on introductory quilting techniques at a local quilt store. Within a few years, her dynamic reinterpretations of traditional patterns led to national and international teaching engagements in which she presented workshops based on her quilt design innovations and her sources of inspiration. Her reputation as an entertaining and talented teacher grew, and she won numerous awards for her quilts. Two of her quilts are in the permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky, one of which (Ancient Directions) was voted one of the 100 Best American Quilts of the 20th Century.

The natural world was an unending source of inspiration for Alison, as reflected in many landscape pieces celebrating the luminous mountains of Southwestern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. She was intrigued by the origins and implications of consciousness, and looked to infuse quotidian reality with transcendental contemplation. She will always be remembered for her art, her intelligence, her humor, and for her ability to stop and and wonder at herself, and at the fascinating mystery that we all are.