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via Loyola University Chicago:

A life of faith, service, and basketball. Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, a beloved icon of Loyola University Chicago for more than six decades and a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary since 1937, passed away on October 9, 2025 at the age of 106. Celebrated worldwide for her infectious smile, quick wit, and basketball acumen, Sister Jean — as she was affectionately known to friends far and wide — was universally adored and touched the lives of countless people throughout her lengthy tenure at Loyola and her incredible life.

You can read more on her life, legacy, and wisdom here.

via ESPN:

“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. “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 — born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on Aug. 21, 1919, then taking the name Sister Jean Dolores in 1937 — joined the staff at Loyola-Chicago in 1991. Three years later, she became part of the basketball team, first as an academic adviser before transitioning to chaplain. Health issues caused her to step down from her role in August.

She was the Ramblers’ No. 1 fan, and that was on display during the 2018 NCAA tournament when, as the No. 11 seeds, they went on an improbable run to the Final Four, ultimately losing to Michigan. Sister Jean, 98 at the time, was with them every step of the way, praying for the team — and its opponents — before each game and encouraging the Ramblers to play hard, play together and play smart.

Millennial Catholic Zac Davis writes:

I lost a mentor, a spiritual guide, a friend and, with apologies to the current Roman pontiff, my favorite Chicago Catholic….

No one was busier than Sister Jean, but she would always take time to stop and chat if you needed someone to listen….

More than anything, Sister Jean loved God and wanted to serve God. The one time I managed to wake up early enough for the campus’s 7 a.m. Mass, I was surprised to see Sister Jean in attendance. After all, she would work well into the night, keeping the schedule of the students to whom she ministered. Tuesday prayer group didn’t start until 9 p.m. But she was at that morning Mass every day before heading off to work. She had a deep spirituality and a rich prayer life.