Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved group chaplain for the Loyola College Chicago males's basketball group, died on Thursday, October 9, at age 106.
Sister Jean grew to become a media sensation in 2018 when she supported the Loyola Ramblers as they made the Remaining 4 of the NCAA March Insanity match for the primary time in a long time. The nun was typically seen on the sidelines throughout the match, cheering and praying for the group.
Loyola College Chicago president Mark C. Reed stated in a statement on Thursday, “In lots of roles at Loyola over the course of greater than 60 years, Sister Jean was a useful supply of knowledge and beauty for generations of scholars, school, and employees.”
“Whereas we really feel grief and a way of loss, there may be nice pleasure in her legacy. Her presence was a profound blessing for our complete neighborhood, and her spirit abides in 1000's of lives. In her honor, we will aspire to share with others the love and compassion Sister Jean shared with us,” the assertion continued.
Born Dolores Bertha Schmidt, Sister Jean was a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which she joined in 1937. She taught at Mundelein Faculty for over 30 years. When the school affiliated with Loyola in 1994, Sister Jean took on the position as chaplain to the school's males's basketball group, sustaining “a key position in supporting the group, providing each non secular help and sensible recommendation on the gamers' recreation efficiency,” in accordance with the college.
“Sister Jean Dolores was a lady of prayer, devoted educator, and a bearer of hope who beloved her BVM Group,” stated BVM president LaDonna Manternach. “She noticed God current in all that surrounded her and trusted in His goodness. Her presence with us can be vastly missed.”
Sister Jean marked her 106th birthday on August 21 with a message to the Loyola neighborhood, revealing that she was experiencing well being points.
“Sure, it's my 106th birthday. Birthdays are particular days, and this one can be very particular,” she wrote in a message shared by the college. “In truth, I'm unable to be there as a result of I've a foul summer season chilly and different well being points so it has been determined that I shouldn't go to Lake Shore Campus to be with you on my birthday. That makes me very unhappy, however you possibly can nonetheless have a good time. I need you to benefit from the treats and the brand new Sr. Jean pin.”
Many former soccer stars, each on the collegiate and NFL ranges, have died in 2025 Thank You! You have got efficiently subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a legitimate e-mail. Subscribe By signing up, I comply with the Phrases and Privateness Coverage and to obtain emails from Us Weekly Deal of the Day Step Into Cozy […]
She went on to share an inspiring message to the scholar inhabitants, writing, “Let your goals turn into actuality. Don't let anyone cease you. You're the future leaders of our church buildings, our faculties, our nation, and our world. I want you success throughout the 2025/2026 tutorial 12 months.”
The next month, the college's vp of communications, Christian Andersen, confirmed to the college's pupil newspaper, The Loyola Phoenix, that Sister Jean had retired.
“Sister Jean is retiring and stepping again from official duties at Loyola. We're conscious of Sister's privateness with regard to well being and may't remark past what was talked about in her [Aug. 21] message,” he wrote in an e-mail printed by the scholar newspaper on September 9.
