Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the Loyola Chicago official chaplain who became famous for her love of the school's men's basketball team, passed away at 106 years old on Thursday, the school announced.
Loyola University Chicago is greatly saddened to confirm the death of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM. This is a tremendous loss of someone who touched the lives of so many people. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. Details to follow. pic.twitter.com/zPiMY1MsIu
— Loyola University Chicago (@LoyolaChicago) October 10, 2025
"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 in a statement. "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 was a part of Loyola University Chicago for most of her life, but she reached stardom in 2018 when the basketball team made the Final Four. As the official chaplain of the team at the time, Sister Jean became the face of team during that special season.
MORE: Remembering Sister Jean's March Madness takeover in 2018
Sister Jean dies at 106
Sister Jean was born on August 21, 1919 in San Francisco, and dedicated her life to being a catholic nun and teacher at several catholic schools. In 1961, she started teaching at Mundelein College, an all-girls school in Chicago, and she remained there for 30 years before the school began affiliating with Loyola University Chicago in 1991.
In 1994, Sister Jean took an academic advisor role with the basketball team that would eventually lead her to becoming the team's official chaplain. She remained in that role until she retired just last month.
At the age of 98 in 2018, Sister Jean became famous as the Ramblers' superfan through the basketball team's run to the Final Four.
Sister Jean was elected to the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and given the Loyola Sword in 2018. The sports world came together to mourn Sister Jean's loss.
She was 106 years old and never had a bad day. The world has lost a true gem. And I have lost an amazing friend. So long Sister Jean. I will always treasure our friendship. https://t.co/tbZ4mddBkM
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) October 10, 2025
RIP. Prayers with Sister Jean’s family and everyone affiliated with Loyola. https://t.co/O0mC5937rZ
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 10, 2025
Nobody loved @RamblersMBB quite like Sister Jean ❤️pic.twitter.com/IaiBqNP8zz
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 10, 2025
RIP Sister Jean.
— T3™️ (@T3Bracketology) October 10, 2025
You took the world by storm during some unforgettable @RamblersMBB NCAAT runs, and impacted many more beyond the game of basketball.
She always had a big smile on her face💛
Thinking of the Loyola Chicago family this evening. pic.twitter.com/wJfTTfrasM
Sad news to wake up to this morning. Honored to have spent time around Sister Jean. She was truly amazing. R.I.P 🙏 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hnMt3q74Uo
— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) October 10, 2025
Nobody loved @RamblersMBB quite like Sister Jean ❤️pic.twitter.com/IaiBqNP8zz
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 10, 2025
My wife and I had the opportunity to meet Sister Jean last year.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) October 10, 2025
She had just turned 105 years old.
She was inquisitive, a great listener, and had a calming spirit about her.
She had a larger-than-life presence on Loyola’s campus.
May she rest in peace 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/22qI98tG5a
Sister Jean, Loyola basketball chaplain and Chicago icon, RIP. 106.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 10, 2025
Sister Jean was a role model in Illinois — inspiring us to embrace our neighbors.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) October 10, 2025
As a lover of life, she taught us to channel positivity to keep us hopeful in times of need and kept that attitude all the way to a life well-lived at 106 years old.
May her memory be a blessing.
March Madness won’t be the same without Sister Jean. Thinking about the Loyola University Chicago community and everyone who loved this remarkable woman. https://t.co/9O09E9zdMA
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 10, 2025
Loyola University Chicago's Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt has passed away at 106 years old. She was a Catholic nun, campus minister and official chaplain of the Ramblers men's basketball team. RIP.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 10, 2025
A saint is now with her Lord and savior. I love you Sister Jean. You made me and so many like me a better man, husband, father, friend. You brought me so much joy, laughter, love. I am truly blessed to have met you over a hot dog at the concession stand. Sainthood awaits you. pic.twitter.com/6y3OHjS8OC
— Mark Adams (@EnthusiAdams) October 10, 2025
Sister Jean memorialized on the marquee pic.twitter.com/W5000j7HFR
— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) October 10, 2025
Yes SISTER JEAN passed away at age 106 - she was so so loved - May Sister Jean RIP - I was honored & thrilled to have met her . https://t.co/oAwXw9xGqN
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) October 10, 2025
Will never forget Sister Jean’s 2018 Final Four press conference. A Hollywood scene! The Loyola Chicago run and the amount of attention she got while handling it all with grace and positivity was extraordinary. She’s part of an incredible March Madness chapter. RIP to a legend.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) October 10, 2025