Chicago: 104-Year-Old Woman Dies Days After Record-Breaking Skydive

Dorothy Hoffner, the 104-year-old Chicago woman who recently made a record-breaking skydive, has passed away, Yahoo! News noted.

She may soon be recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest person to have ever completed a parachute jump.

Hoffner was discovered deceased by staff at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community on Monday morning, having seemingly passed away peacefully in her sleep the previous Sunday night.

Her close friend, Joe Conant, a nurse who affectionately called her "Grandma" as per her request, expressed his admiration for her remarkable energy and mental sharpness.

He recalled her as an indefatigable individual who never napped in the afternoon or missed any social function, always fully engaged and present.

Hoffner made a tandem skydive on October 1, from 13,500 feet at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, a remarkable feat that could potentially secure her a place in the record books as the world's oldest skydiver.

She declared to a cheering crowd after landing, "Age is just a number," emphasizing her adventurous spirit. Remarkably, this wasn't her first leap from a plane; she initially took the plunge at the youthful age of 100.

Conant is working on the necessary paperwork to ensure that Guinness World Records posthumously certifies Hoffner as the world's oldest skydiver, though he expects this process to take some time.

The current record was established in May 2022 by 103-year-old Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson of Sweden.

Dorothy Hoffner' First Skydive

Hoffner's journey into skydiving began in 2019 when she learned of Conant's plans to go skydiving. Eager to join in, she successfully completed her first jump on her 100th birthday, per PEOPLE.

Interestingly, Hoffner kept her skydiving exploits a secret from her family until she recently graced the front page of a local newspaper with her record-breaking achievement.

Initially, Hoffner wasn't overly fond of the media attention she received, but she later embraced the spotlight.

Conant emphasized that she wasn't motivated by world records but by her personal desire to experience skydiving.

In a statement, Skydive Chicago and the United States Parachute Association acknowledged Hoffner's contribution to the sport, emphasizing that skydiving is an activity that many dream of but often postpone.

Hoffner's legacy serves as an inspiring testament to pursuing thrilling experiences at any age.

Oldest Skydiver Dorothy Hoffner

Dorothy Hoffner was a lifelong Chicago resident, residing in the Humboldt Park area before settling in Jefferson Park, according to Chicago Sun Times.

She spent a substantial portion of her career with Illinois Bell Telephone Co., commencing with a wage of 25 cents per hour.

By the time she reached the age of 104, Hoffner had enjoyed an equal number of years in retirement as she had working.

Although she never married, Hoffner maintained close friendships within her neighborhood, fondly reminiscing about her past acquaintances.

She often hosted communal meals and engaged in intense trivia games, where her astute knowledge consistently outshone the rest.

Hoffner's sudden passing came as a shock to Conant and the Brookdale community.

Despite her age, she remained active, routinely embarking on a daily four-block walk to Mariano's and participating in interviews with various media outlets.

Friends do not suspect any connection between her demise and her record-breaking skydive, and Conant described her as a truly fascinating individual who underestimated the richness of her own life.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: At 104, is Dorothy Hoffner the world's oldest skydiver? - From Reuters