Dorothy Hoffner, an extraordinary 104-year-old American woman who recently set a world record as the oldest skydiver, peacefully passed away at her Chicago home. This came just days after her historic skydiving achievement.
Hoffner’s skydiving feat made headlines when she broke the Guinness World Record for the oldest tandem parachute jump on October 1 at Skydive Chicago Airport. She surpassed the previous record set by a 103-year-old Swedish woman.
Despite her age, Dorothy Hoffner described her skydiving experience as serene and enjoyable. After safely landing in Ottawa, approximately 80 miles southwest of Chicago, she shared her thoughts with the Chicago Sun-Times, stating that nothing was frightening about it; it was a peaceful experience.
Hoffner’s body was discovered at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community, with the exact time of her passing believed to be Sunday night, according to her friend Joe Conant.
Both Skydive Chicago and the US Parachute Association expressed their gratitude for Dorothy Hoffner’s extraordinary life and her thrilling last skydiving adventure. They emphasized the message that it’s never too late to embrace life’s exciting experiences.
Initially, Ms. Hoffner had mixed feelings about the media attention that surrounded her skydiving achievement. However, as the weekend approached, her perspective shifted, and she saw it as an opportunity to connect with new people.
As of now, the cause of her passing has not been officially determined, as reported by a nurse who had known Ms. Hoffner for about five years.
Dorothy Hoffner’s inspirational journey and zest for life remind us all that age should never be a barrier to pursuing our dreams and embracing the thrill of life’s extraordinary moments.