Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the chaplain who reached legendary status at Loyola-Chicago, has passed away at the age of 106.
Sister Jean, who became a folk hero during the Ramblers’ run to the final four in 2018, retired earlier this year after a 30-year stint as the team’s chaplain.
She died on Thursday.
“While we feel grief and a sense of loss, there is great joy in her legacy. Her presence was a profound blessing for our entire community, and her spirit abides in thousands of lives. In her honor, we can aspire to share with others the love and compassion Sister Jean shared with us,” Loyola president Mark C. Reed said in a statement.
Born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on August 21, 1919, she adopted the name Sister Jean Dolores in 1937. The Loyola Marymount University graduate joined the Loyola-Chicago staff in 1991 and took up the role of academic adviser before becoming a chaplain.
Sister Jean Meant Everything To Loyola-Chicago
Sister Jean earned a reputation as the Ramblers’ No. 1 fan and was with the team every step of the way during their shocking run to the Final Four as a No. 11 seed.
Schmidt was 98 at the time but hardly missed a beat as she prayed for the team and their opponents before the start of each game, hyping them up with a pep talk and dropping an epic scouting report on one particular occasion.
She became quite the celebrity, too. Bobblehead dolls and apparel flew off the shelves, interviews rolled in, and press conferences were held just for her prior to games.
Loyola-Chicago announced a scholarship fund and endowment in her name to support students after she turned 100.
Governor JB Pritzker declared August 21, 2019, “Sister Jean Day” across the state.
She was also honored after turning 103, with the train station plaza at Loyola campus renamed, as a large sign read: “Home of the World Famous Sister Jean!”
Her 105th birthday saw her receive commendation from then-President Joe Biden.
“You have shown us all that yours is a life well lived,” Biden said.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Jeanne Tidwell, and her niece, Jan Schmidt.
Rest well, Sister Jean – 1919-2025
