Barack Obama, Sports World Mourn Death of Loyola-Chicago Icon Sister Jean

The 106-year-old ex-Ramblers team chaplain died Thursday.

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, popularly known as Sister Jean, was a revered figure in the Chicago sports world. / David Banks-Imagn Images

Loyola-Chicago has enjoyed considerable men's basketball success in the last decade, but the face of that success wasn't any player or coach—it was a nun.

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt—the popular face of the Ramblers, and a revered figure in Rogers Park, Chicago and across the college basketball world—died Thursday at the age of 106. Sister Jean, as the longtime Loyola-Chicago team chaplain was popularly known, became a national celebrity as the Ramblers advanced to the Final Four in 2018.

So well-known in the Windy City was Sister Jean that her online mourners included former President Barack Obama, who called her a "remarkable woman."

March Madness won’t be the same without Sister Jean. Thinking about the Loyola University Chicago community and everyone who loved this remarkable woman. https://t.co/9O09E9zdMA

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 10, 2025

CBS's Tracy Wolfson was among a number of journalists to mourn a figure noted for her media friendliness.

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, 2025

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sent his condolences from Springfield.

Sister Jean was a role model in Illinois — inspiring us to embrace our neighbors.

As a lover of life, she taught us to channel positivity to keep us hopeful in times of need and kept that attitude all the way to a life well-lived at 106 years old.

May her memory be a blessing.

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) October 10, 2025

NBC's John Fanta recalled her magnetism in '18 as the Ramblers knocked off giant after giant.

Will 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, 2025

Cardinal Blaise Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, noted Sister Jean's trademark sense of humor.

Sister Jean, our beloved friend and inspiration went home to the Lord today. She nurtured the mind and spirit of her students and all who came to know her with dedication, a firm belief in our faith and a sharp sense of humor. May she rest in the peace she so richly deserves.

— Cardinal Cupich (@CardinalBCupich) October 10, 2025

Reflecting her status on the North Side, the Cubs paid tribute to Sister Jean the day after a seismic win over the Brewers.

Sister Jean memorialized on the marquee pic.twitter.com/W5000j7HFR

— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) October 10, 2025

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