IL HR0503

Honors the life and mourns the passing of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, who died on October 9, 2025 at age 106, serving as chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team (the Ramblers)

Sister Jean was born August 21, 1919 in San Francisco and joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) in 1937, teaching at Catholic schools before joining Mundelein College in 1961 and later Loyola University Chicago

Gained international celebrity at age 98 during the 2018 NCAA March Madness tournament when the Ramblers reached the Final Four, with her motto "Worship, Work, Win" becoming widely known

Founded the SMILE program (Students Moving Into the Lives of the Elderly) pairing Loyola students with assisted living residents, and co-authored her memoir "Wake Up with Purpose!" published in February 2023

Received numerous honors including induction into Loyola's Athletics Hall of Fame (2017), an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis for her 100th birthday, the Loyola CTA Red Line plaza renamed in her honor (2022), and a proclamation from President Biden on her 105th birthday