SR0458 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0458 LRB104 15822 LAW 29026 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), the iconic chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team, the Ramblers, who passed away on October 9, 2025 at the age of 106; and

WHEREAS, Sister Jean was born Dolores Bertha Schmidt on August 21, 1919; she was a native of San Francisco, California; she joined the BVM in 1937, taking the name Sister Jean Dolores; and

WHEREAS, Sister Jean taught at several Catholic schools in both Chicago and California before coming to teach at Mundelein College in 1961; over the next 30 years, she held numerous roles at Mundelein College until the educational institution affiliated with Loyola University Chicago in 1991; she engaged in an academic advisor role with the men's basketball team in 1993, and she later transitioned to the position of team chaplain; she long maintained a key role in supporting the Ramblers, offering both spiritual support and practical advice on the players' game performance; and

WHEREAS, Sister Jean, though long known for her many roles at Loyola University Chicago, became an international celebrity at the age of 98 during the 2018 NCAA March Madness tournament when she accompanied the Ramblers as they reached the Final Four for the first time since the program's historic 1963 national championship season; she cheered for the team from the sidelines that season, where her presence as team chaplain captured the attention of the media; she became one of the most talked-about topics of the 2018 tournament, and merchandise featuring her likeness and her motto of "Worship, Work, Win" sold swiftly; and

WHEREAS, Sister Jean, in addition to her work with the Ramblers, also held weekly prayer groups for students and started a program called SMILE (Students Moving Into the Lives of the Elderly), which paired Loyola students with residents of The Clare, an assisted living community on the Water Tower campus that she called home for many years; and

WHEREAS, Sister Jean co-authored her memoir, Wake Up with Purpose!: What I've Learned in My First Hundred Years, with Seth Davis, which was published in February 2023; and

WHEREAS, Sister Jean received a number of honors and accolades, including being inducted into the Loyola University Chicago Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and awarded the Sword of Loyola in 2018; she was further recognized by church and world leaders for her joy and service; for her 100th birthday, she received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis; at her 103rd birthday celebration on August 21, 2022, she received the honor of the Loyola CTA Red Line plaza being renamed after her, with proclamations from both Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot dedicating the day in her honor; on her 105th birthday, she received a proclamation from President Joe Biden in recognition of her lifetime of service; and

WHEREAS, Sister Jean was a woman of prayer, a dedicated educator, and a bearer of hope who loved her BVM community; she will be remembered as an invaluable source of wisdom, love, compassion, and grace to generations of Loyola University Chicago students, faculty, and staff; and

WHEREAS, Sister Jean was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Edward and Raymond Schmidt; and

WHEREAS, Sister Jean is survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret Schmidt; her nieces and nephews; and her fellow BVM sisters; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), the iconic chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team, the Ramblers, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sister Jean as an expression of our deepest sympathy.