The Loyola University community and fans nationwide are preparing to bid their final farewell to Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, a figure deeply woven into the fabric of the university's culture. A funeral service is set to honor Sister Jean, who passed away at the age of 106, on Thursday at the Madonna della Strada Chapel on Loyola's campus, as reported by WGN-TV. The chapel's doors will open at 9 a.m., with the service beginning at 10 a.m. and both in-person attendance and streaming options being available for those who wish to partake in the service.
The impact of Sister Jean stretches far beyond her role as the men's basketball team chaplain, a position she filled with love and dedication. Through years of selfless service, she touched many lives at Loyola, earning her recognition within the community and accolades such as the Sword of Loyola in 2018. Although her health led her to officially retire earlier this year, she remained an advisor to many, ever eager to ensure players were continuing to improve, a dedication reflected in her questioning if "Miles been working on his free throws this summer?" according to Coach Drew Valentine in an interview by NBC Chicago.
Sister Jean's journey began in San Francisco in 1919 and led her to join the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1937. Her educational pursuits and divine calling found a home in Chicago and California, where she dedicated considerable portions of her life to teaching and mentoring young minds before her affiliation with Loyola, which began in 1961 with Mundelein College. Her legacy, marked by induction into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017, has left a lasting imprint on the institution and its people.
Rather than slowing down, Sister Jean's influence only grew as she aged, encompassing national recognition and a role that was both singular and expansive. She received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis at the age of 100, and just a year before her passing, President Joe Biden recognized her lifetime of service with a proclamation on her 105th birthday. Following Sister Jean’s wishes, classes at Loyola University will continue as usual, embodying her life-long commitment to education. Those wishing to honor her memory have been directed by the university to consider donations to the Worship, Work, Win Fund or the Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM Scholarship, promoting student-athlete welfare and education, respectively, as told by WGN-TV.
