Sister Jean funeral: Loyola University hosts wake, visitation Wednesday for iconic men's basketball chaplain on Rogers Park campus
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CHICAGO (WLS) — On Thursday, Loyola University will bid farewell to Sister Jean, a cherished figure whose legacy will be celebrated as she is laid to rest.

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved chaplain for Loyola’s men’s basketball team since 1994, passed away on Thursday at the remarkable age of 106.

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Her visitation, held on Wednesday at the Chicago university’s campus, was attended by a diverse group of individuals, including students, friends, and notable figures like Governor Pritzker.

Those who gathered remembered Sister Jean for her unwavering faith, her compassionate nature, and her dedicated service to the Loyola community.

“She truly believed she was destined for this calling and served people with exceptional grace,” said Michael Murphy, a friend and the director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University. “Her authenticity, humor, and steadfast commitment to others and her faith made her truly special.”

Sister Jean gained worldwide attention during the Rambler’s Final Four run in 2018, but even before that, she was a force of fun and faith on the North Side campus. She spent decades dedicating her career to education and sports, with a faith forward mentality and an open door to her students

“She was always eager to talk to students it was none of that go away, you bother me you’re too young or anything like that she had an open door policy and student would drop by and see her, everyone wanted a selfie, they do that with her,” said Joyce Knight, a friend and Associate Dean of Student Academic Affairs and Advising at Loyola University.

Sister Jean’s funeral starts at 10 a.m. and will be streamed on ABC7’s streaming platforms.

The chapel will open at 9 a.m., and the Mass will begin at 10 a.m.

Rooney Hall and Mundelein Center on Loyola’s Rogers Park campus will be overflow space.

There will be a community reception at 11:30 a.m. at the Damen Student Center.

The services will be open on a first-come, first-served basis, Loyola said. Seating is limited in the chapel. Burial will be private.

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