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Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, the chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team who gained national attention during the team's historic 2018 NCAA March Madness Tournament run, has died at the age of 106, the school confirmed in a news release shared late Thursday (October 9) night.
Sister Jean, born Dolores Bertha Schmidt, accompanied the Ramblers as they reached the Final Four in 2018, their first appearance in the semifinals since their 1963 national championship season, having been on the sidelines for every season in between.
“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,” said Loyola President Mark C. Reed. “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.”
Sister Jean taught at several Catholic schools before joining Mundelein College, which became affiliated with Loyola in 1991, in 1961, taking on an academic advisor role with the men's basketball team in 1994 and eventually chaplain before retiring last month.
“Sister Jean Dolores was a woman of prayer, dedicated educator, and a bearer of hope who loved her BVM Community,” said BVM President LaDonna Manternach. “She saw God present in all that surrounded her and trusted in His goodness. Her presence with us will be greatly missed.”
Sister Jean received recognition from the Catholic church for her joy and service throughout her lifetime, which included receiving an Apostolic Blessing from the late Pope Francis for her 100th birthday and having the Loyola CTA Red Line plaza renamed in her honor for her 103rd birthday celebration on August 21, 2022.