Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, better known simply as Sister Jean, is a very beloved and well-known figure at Loyola University in Chicago. For many years, she has been considered a good luck charm for the university’s men’s basketball game. She can frequently be seen attending games while dressed in the school’s signature maroon and gold colors. She’s also been known to lead the team in prayer ahead of games.
On August 21, Sister Jean celebrated her 106th birthday. Born in 1919, she continued to work 5 days a week on the Loyola campus even while 105 years old.
When her 106th birthday came around this year, she was unfortunately sick with a summer cold, so she couldn’t celebrate on campus as she would have liked.
"That makes me very sad, but you can still celebrate," she wrote in a message to the students. "I celebrate with you in spirit."
Despite her recent illness, Sister Jean remains remarkably healthy despite her age. She recently shared some of her health and wellness secrets that have helped her manage to live to be 106.
“I eat well, I sleep well, and hopefully I pray well,” she said of her longevity.
She shared that choosing to never retire but to stay busy as long as possible has helped preserve her health. She also prioritizes always going to bed and waking up in a positive mood.
“I still go to bed every night with a smile on my face, gratitude in my heart, and love in my soul,” she said.
Sister Jean also shared that she spent many years being very careful to eat in moderation, focusing especially on prioritizing light meals at dinner.
However, that’s a rule that she might be ready to break.
“But I think to myself, I’m 105, what difference does it make?” she previously joked.