Sister Jean Dolores, Loyola Chaplain Dies at 106
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the cherished chaplain of Loyola University Chicago’s men’s basketball team and a beloved figure in the university community, passed away on Thursday at the age of 106, Loyola University confirmed.
Sister Jean rose to national fame during Loyola’s unforgettable 2018 NCAA Tournament run, when the Ramblers made it to the Final Four for the first time since winning the 1963 national championship. Her positivity and deep faith captured hearts across the country.
“For more than six decades, Sister Jean was an extraordinary source of wisdom, kindness, and faith for our Loyola family,” said Loyola University President Mark C. Reed. “Her legacy brings both sorrow and joy — sorrow for our loss, and joy for the countless lives she touched.”
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Born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on August 21, 1919, in San Francisco, she joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) in 1937, adopting the name Sister Jean Dolores. She began teaching at Catholic schools in Chicago and California before joining Mundelein College in 1961. After the college affiliated with Loyola University Chicago in 1991, she continued her mission of mentorship and service.
In 1994, Sister Jean became an academic advisor and later chaplain for the Loyola men’s basketball team — a role that made her a national inspiration for students, athletes, and fans alike.
BVM President LaDonna Manternach described her as “a woman of prayer, a beacon of hope, and a teacher who saw God’s presence in everything around her.”
Beyond basketball, Sister Jean founded SMILE (Students Moving Into the Lives of the Elderly), a program connecting Loyola students with residents at The Clare, a senior living community near Loyola’s Water Tower Campus.
Her remarkable contributions earned her induction into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame (2017) and the Sword of Loyola (2018). She received countless honors — including an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis for her 100th birthday and a proclamation from President Joe Biden on her 105th birthday recognizing her lifetime of service.
In 2022, Chicago honored her by renaming the Loyola CTA Red Line plaza in her name. She also published her memoir, “Wake Up with Purpose!: What I have Learned in My First Hundred Years,” in February 2023.
Even at 106, Sister Jean continued to embody purpose, love, and faith — leaving behind a timeless legacy that continues to inspire generations.
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