Loyola Chicago loses its beloved basketball chaplain and national icon, Sister Jean who dies at the age of 106 in her legacy of faith and hope.
Recent Developments
- Death at age 106
On October 9, 2025, Jacqueline passed away in the age of 106 as Sister Jean.
The news was confirmed by the university that she served the university and left a rich legacy.
- Early retirement just before death.
In September 2025, she retired because of health reasons on her official duty at Loyola University Chicago.
She was still an advisor and favourite in the Loyola community even after her retirement.
- Her legacy and recognition
The name of Sister Jean was a regular household name when the Loyola men basketball team made a surprise run to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament of 2018.
During her 30+ years in Loyola, she worked as a teacher, counselor, spiritual director, and mentor.
- Controversies/viral moments in the past.
A video was shared a few months ago (late 2024) where Loyola players would walk past Sister Jean and fail to fist bump her. The video attracted a great deal of criticism.
The crew subsequently made a show of remorse: in practice they fist bumped and hugged her.
Recent Events & Passing
- Retirement
Sister Jean formally retired to her campus work at Loyola in September 2025, due to health reasons and inability to travel in order to be physically present at campus.
The university commented that she would still provide spiritual support and is a friend that is liked, a trusted advisor, and a loyal Rambler.
- Death
Sister Jean passed on on the 9 th of October, 2025, aged 106.
Loyola University and religious members issued statements stating how she was praised due to the decades of her service, her religious faith, and her legacy to the students and all other members of staff.
- Tributes & Impact
In a speech, the president of Loyola and other people mentioned that her spirit lives in thousands of lives and her spirit is a profound blessing.
Her life was honored in media houses, her life was honored by fans, students, alumni and athletes whose lives she impacted.
Loyola has mentioned that the funeral and memorial plans will be distributed as soon as possible.
Life & Legacy
- Born / Early Life
Born on 21 st August, 1919, in San Francisco, California, Jean Dolores Schmidt was born.
In 1937 she joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM).
She graduated with a B.A. degree at Mount St. Marys College (Los Angeles) and with an M.A. degree at Loyola University of Los Angeles.
- Career-Loyola, 2009.
She started teaching and working in different capacities in California and then moved to Chicago.
She joined Mundelein College in 1961; later, in 1963, she transferred to Loyola University Chicago after Mundelein college became a constituent of Loyola.
At age 75 in 1994 she joined the basketball team of Loyola as academic advisor, which was made official as team chaplain.
Her work was not limited to spiritual advice: she was even reported to send out scouting notes, inspirational emails and counsel to student-athletes.
- Rise to National Prominence
Sister Jean emerged as a national media presence when Loyola Chicago made a 2018 NCAA March Madness March Madness Final Four appearance, repeatedly being shown on television, praying, cheering, and communicating with players.
Her picture, of an old nun in Loyola maroon and gold, enjoying the excitement of college basketball became a cultural reference point.
In 2017, she was accepted into the Athletics Hall of Fame of Loyola.
Biography & Early Life
- Sister Jean was born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on August 21, 1919 in San Francisco, California.
- She joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) in 1937.
- She got a B.A. at Mount St. Marys College (Los Angeles) and an M.A. at the Loyola University of Los Angeles.
- In her early career, she was a teacher in California (at such schools as St. Bernard, Glassell Park, St. Charles Borromeo, North Hollywood), and a student life/coaching program.
Identification with Loyola & Basketball.
- This was after she joined the Mundelein College in 1961 and was later merged/associated with Loyola University Chicago.
- After the merger, she joined the faculty/administration of Loyola.
- In 1994, she started to work with the men basketball team at Loyola as an academic advisor, and was 75 years old. Her role expanded with time to include that of a team chaplain to provide them with spiritual encouragement, motivational messages, and emotional advice.
- Her popularity only increased when Loyola went to NCAA Tournament in 2018 with her being prominently featured in media coverage as she was wearing maroon and gold Loyola gear, praying and cheering the team to the Final Four.
- She also remained involved in subsequent tournaments (e.g. 2021) occasionally also providing support virtually when her health or travel prevented her in-person attendance.
Retirement, Later Years and Death.
- In September 2025, Sister Jean said she was retiring as an official campus employee with Loyola because of health reasons and decreased mobility.
- Even after relinquishing the role of the chaplain she was a close consultant to the university and its community until she died a few months later.
- A merger between Sister Jean and Richter was only ruled illegal on October 9, 2025, when she died at 106 years of age.
- Loyola and the BVM community released a statement that praised her years of service, her religion, and the contribution she made to students, employees, and the community at large.
- Loyola should announce funeral and memorial arrangements.
Conclusion
The death of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is the end of a great age in the history of Loyola University Chicago and college basketball. Throughout her life, over 100 years she devoted her time to faith, education, and caring. Starting her simple life as a school teacher to a national icon of hope and determination in the 2018 March Madness campaign at Loyola, Sister Jean was a source of inspiration to millions of people with her positive thinking and knowledge. Her message of hope, teamwork and faith that she has lived to tell will remain unknown to millions even after she is gone, in a hundred years and six months.
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