Loyola University mourns death of Sister Jean: 'She gave us light'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Sister Jean served as the iconic chaplain to the Loyola University men's basketball team since 1994, and died Thursday at 106 years old.

But she was so much more than that to students and staff now mourning her loss.

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Signs of Sister Jean are everywhere across campus Friday.

"I think everyone in the hallway was like, 'oh my God, Sister Jean passed away.' And we were all in shock, and we were just speechless to be honest. We have no words because we know she had a lot of impact on the school," one sophomore said.

"She's kind of like that girl. She was that girl at Loyola. She gave us life. She gave us light, and she gave us presence," freshman Diego Moreno said.

Students say Sister Jean would often walk the dining halls.

"She came up to me, and I just started talking to her and talking about her day. And she wish me luck for my school year. She was very very sweet lady," the sophomore said.

"She like, would eat in the dining halls. She lived downtown, and I'm like, my class are downtown. She'd always take the shuttle with us," Jenny Marchi said.

Sister Jean became an international celebrity during the 2018 NCAA March Madness tournament, when the Ramblers reached the Final Four.

She took on the role of chief cheerleader.

"She just was around and praying for the guys before our games. And so, when we got on that national stage, it was just authentic. And those relationships were real," Loyola men's basketball Coach Drew Valentine said.

Students have been writing down their favorite memories of the nun, who made everyone feel welcome.

"I wish I was able to say more to her," student George Dravillis said. "ZoI se mas, it means, it's Greek for life to us. It's something my family says to one another after we've lost a loved one."

A room at Loyola's downtown campus even has QR codes to listen to Sister Jean's story in her own voice.

Sister Jean was born on Aug. 21, 1919.

For her 100th birthday, Jean Dolores Schmidt received an apostolic blessing from Pope Francis.

Last year, turning 105, she received a proclamation from then-President Joe Biden, recognizing her lifetime of service.

She joined members of the Ramblers team to throw out the first pitch at a Cubs game, as well.

She even made a live appearance on "Good Morning America."

Through it all, she remained a humble servant of God and a beacon of hope to others.

"While she obviously was nearing the end, there still was a spirit there. A fighting spirit, and it's an inspiration for us all," Loyola President Mark Reed said. "You don't make it to 106 and work up to the very end by kind of letting things happen to you. Sister Jean was in charge, and we were OK with that. It was her authenticity that made people want to stop and listen."

The university plans to share visitation and funeral arrangements very soon. The funeral is expected to be toward the end of next week.