Sr. Jean, Loyola University ‘icon,’ dies at 106

Sr. Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, the elderly nun who rose to national stardom during the 2018 NCAA March Madness tournament, died on October 9, 2025, the university announced late Thursday evening. She was 106.

Sr. Schmidt's death comes approximately a month after Loyola University Chicago confirmed that she had officially retired from on-campus work, and about six weeks after she celebrated her 106th birthday.

“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 announcing her passing.

“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," he said.

“Sister Jean Dolores was a woman of prayer, dedicated educator, and a bearer of hope who loved her BVM Community,” BVM President LaDonna Manternach said in a statement published by Loyola University Chicago. 

Manternach continued, “She saw God present in all that surrounded her and trusted in His goodness. Her presence with us will be greatly missed.”

Born in San Francisco on August 21, 1919, Dolores Bertha Schmidt joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1937, and took the name Sr. Jean Dolores. She then began work in Catholic schools in both California and Chicago, said a release from Loyola University Chicago.

In 1961, Schmidt began teaching at Mundelein College, which would eventually merge with Loyola University Chicago.

While at Loyola University Chicago, Schmidt was a beloved figure on campus. She held weekly prayer groups with students, and created a program called SMILE (Students Moving Into the Lives of the Elderly), said the school.

This program "paired Loyola students with residents of The Clare, the assisted living community on the Water Tower Campus that she called home for many years."

While Schmidt had worked at Loyola University Chicago since its 1991 merger with Mundelein College, in 1994 she began what would be her best-known role: chaplain of the Loyola Ramblers Men's Basketball team.

"She long maintained a key role in supporting the team, offering both spiritual support and practical advice on the players’ game performance," said Loyola University Chicago.

In 2018, the Loyola Ramblers went on a "Cinderella" run to the NCAA Final Four. Schmidt, who was 98 at the time, was seen courtside at games as the No. 11-seed Loyola Chicago took down college basketball giants Miami, Tennessee, and Kansas State on their road to the national semifinal.

The presence of an elderly religious sister cheering on her team (and even providing notes on game strategy) took national media by storm, and "Sister Jean" was one of the breakout stars of the tournament. Merchandise, including a bobblehead figure and t-shirts with her motto, "sold swiftly," said Loyola University Chicago.

While Sr. Schmidt's beloved Ramblers have yet to replicate the success of the 2018 tournament, data from Google Trends shows that Google searches for "Sister Jean" peak each year in March as the tournament begins.

On social media, figures from the sports world, as well as alumni of Loyola University Chicago shared their memories of Schmidt.

John Fanta, a sports broadcaster on NBC Sports, recalled Schmidt's "grace and positivity" during the 2018 March Madness tournament.

Basketball commentator Seth Davis of Hoops HQ wrote that Schmidt "never had a bad day," and that he would "always treasure our friendship."

Bernadette V. McGlade, commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference, which Loyola University Chicago's sports teams play in, expressed condolences for the loss of the "icon."

"Her passion inspired student-athletes and basketball fans all across the world, and her enlightening presence at Ramblers games will be forever missed," said McGlade.

"We offer our prayers to her family, the LUC basketball program and the entire campus community. The A-10 also celebrates a prayerful life well lived, inspiring to so many."

Reilly Cosgrove, an alumna of Loyola University Chicago, wrote on X that hearing the news of Schmidt's passing felt like losing a grandparent.

"Sister Jean loved all of us students so, SO much. She would listen to my reflections when I was a new convert and point out graces in my life that were hard for me to see. The last time I caught up with her two years ago we talked for over an hour and she gave me a hug and kiss," said Cosgrove on X.

"She saw God in every one of us. Even the messy college students crying to her about the same old things all the time," said Cosgrove. "She saw Jesus in my friends and in me. I am so, so thankful for Sister Jean."

"God bless and go Ramblers."