Loyola Chicago announces death of Sister Jean at 106

Jean Dolores Schmidt, better known as Sister Jean, has died. She was 106.

Sister Jean was the longtime chaplain to the Loyola men’s basketball team. She lent a helping hand to the program as an academic advisor in 1994 and stayed on as the team’s chaplain until her retirement last month. She stepped away from the program due to concerns over her health.

“In many roles at Loyola over the course of more than 60 years, Sister Jean was an invaluable source of wisdom and grace for generations of students, faculty, and staff,” Loyola President Mark C. Reed said, via release. “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.” 

Of course, Sister Jean became a college basketball icon as her Ramblers became the Cinderella of the 2018 NCAA Basketball tournament. Loyola Chicago made it all the way to the Final Four for the first time since 1963. Along the way, the nation became captivated by Sister Jean, just as those inside the Ramblers program had for over three decades.

She took the name Sister Jean Dolores in 1937 when she was 18 years old after joining the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She taught at several Catholic schools in California, her home state, before arriving on campus at Mundelein College in 1961. She taught at this women’s liberal arts college for 30 years before it later merged with Loyola Chicago. Three years after that, she became associated with the men’s basketball program and the rest is history.

“Sister Jean Dolores was a woman of prayer, dedicated educator, and a bearer of hope who loved her BVM Community,” BVM President LaDonna Manternach said in the release. “She saw God present in all that surrounded her and trusted in His goodness. Her presence with us will be greatly missed.”

Throughout her life, she has been recognized for her contributions toward her faith. One such highlight came during her 100th birthday when she received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis. Additionally, her legacy will live on after her 103rd birthday when the university renamed the Loyola CTA Red Line plaza after her. Last year, she was also recognized by President Joe Biden for her lifetime service.

Sister Jean is survived by her sister-in-law, Jeanne Tidwell, as well as her niece, Jan Schmidt. Visitation and funeral arrangements will be announced by the University at a later time.