Sister Jean Dolores Smith, the longtime chaplain for the Loyola-Chicago men’s basketball team who gained notoriety during the Ramblers’ 2018 NCAA Tournament run, died Thursday evening, according to the university. She was 106 years old.
Sister Jean, born as Dolores Bertha Schmidt on Aug. 21, 1919, in San Francisco, first moved to the Chicago area in 1961. She taught at Mundelein College — a private Catholic women’s institution — for 3 decades before it became affiliated with Loyola-Chicago. In 1994, she became an academic advisor for the men’s basketball team. She eventually transitioned to team chaplain, a role she held until stepping down in Aug. 2025 due to health issues.
“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 press release announcing the news. “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 there every step of the way for Loyola-Chicago’s historic NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018. The Ramblers reached the Final Four as a No. 11 seed on the back of some tremendous final-minute victories in the first round, second round, and Sweet 16 before blasting Kansas State 78-62 in the Elite Eight.
Loyola Chicago is back in the NCAA Tournament.@RamblersMBB's run to the Final Four in 2018 is one we’ll never forget. pic.twitter.com/lQIzTqI27a
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 7, 2021People from all walks of life took to social media to mourn Sister Jean after hearing the news. Even former United States President Barack Obama commented on her passing, saying March Madness “won’t be the same.”
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, 2025An all time ball knowerRest in Peace Sister Jean pic.twitter.com/3kofCYu76s
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 10, 2025Sister Jean once said, "It is better to wear out than to rust out."After 106 years, she lived every day to the fullest. God speed beautiful human. pic.twitter.com/s1HSpWJvLR
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) October 10, 2025Went to a game last season solely with aspirations to meet Sister Jean. She is the epitome of sportsmanship & gave me sports admin advice & much needed encouragement. Grateful for her life, memory, & encounter.Well done, good & faithful servant. Rest in paradise, Sister Jean. pic.twitter.com/ZuFsZc2Gpp
— Ryan Mai-Do (@Astro_RyanMaiDo) October 10, 2025Will 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, 2025Nobody loved @RamblersMBB quite like Sister Jean pic.twitter.com/IaiBqNP8zz
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 10, 2025Sister Jean, Loyola-Chicago chaplain, passes away at 106 Saturday Down South.
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