Video above: Sister Jean on Loyola Ramblers’ trip to the Big Dance
CHICAGO (WGN) – Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, a cherished figure within the Loyola University Chicago family and the renowned chaplain for their men’s basketball team, passed away on Thursday at the age of 106, as announced by the university.
Sister Jean achieved international fame during Loyola’s incredible 2018 journey to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. This marked the Ramblers’ first appearance in the Final Four since their memorable national championship season in 1963.
“In her more than 60 years at Loyola in various capacities, Sister Jean served as an indispensable source of wisdom and kindness to generations of students, faculty, and staff,” noted Loyola President Mark C. Reed. “While her passing brings sorrow and a sense of loss, her legacy is a source of immense joy. Her presence was a profound gift to our entire community, and her essence continues in countless lives. We can honor her by spreading the love and compassion that Sister Jean gave to us.”
Born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on Aug. 21, 1919, Sister Jean joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1937, adopting the name Sister Jean Dolores.
Originally from San Francisco, she taught at various Catholic schools in both Chicago and California before arriving at the Lake Shore Campus in 1961 to educate at Mundelein College. Over the next three decades, she fulfilled multiple roles until the college’s merger with Loyola in 1991.
In 1994, Sister Jean became an academic advisor with the men’s basketball team and later transitioned to team chaplain.
“Sister Jean Dolores was a prayerful woman, committed educator, and beacon of hope who deeply loved her BVM Community,” expressed BVM President LaDonna Manternach. “She recognized God in all that she encountered and trusted in His benevolence. Her presence among us will be profoundly missed.”
In addition to her work with the basketball program, Sister Jean held weekly prayer groups for students and started a program called SMILE (Students Moving Into the Lives of the Elderly), which paired Loyola students with residents of The Clare, an assisted living community on the Water Tower Campus that Sister Jean called home for years.
She was inducted into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and was awarded the Sword of Loyola in 2018.
Throughout her career, Sister Jean was recognized by church and world leaders for her joy and service.
She received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis for her 100th birthday, and at her 103rd birthday celebration, held on Aug. 21, 2022, the Loyola CTA Red Line plaza was renamed in her honor.
On that day, Sister Jean received proclamations from both Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot dedicating the day in her honor.
She published her memoir “Wake Up with Purpose!: What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years” in February of 2023.
On her 105th birthday, Sister Jean received a proclamation from then-President Joe Biden in recognition of her lifetime of service.
