One of those things that individuals frequently put to their bucket list is
skydiving, but not everyone believes that it is something that can be
accomplished in old age. This is the story of a woman who broke the record
for being the oldest skydiver and beat all odds.
In October 2022, an article appeared in Today, stating that Dorothy
Hoffner, a Chicago resident living in an apartment, accomplished the
unimaginable at the age of 104 by skydiving twice in her life despite being
an elderly person.
Hoffner, who had never been married and had no children, had done her
second dive with Skydive Chicago earlier that month under the guidance of
Derek Baxter, a qualified tandem instructor with the U.S. Parachute
Association.
Hoffner informed the newspaper that despite the fact that some people find
this kind of action frightening, she didn't feel anxious while leaping from
a height of 13,000 feet.
"A strong wind gust arrived and blew us around just as we were ready to get
off the plane. That bit was enjoyable, she said.
Rut Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson of Sweden, who skydived at the age of 103 years
and 259 days, appears to have held the record before her.
As of October 2023, Skydive Chicago was collaborating with Guinness World
Records to validate Hoffner's skydiving experience, according to a report
from FOX 32 Chicago.
She informed the source that she became interested in skydiving after she
became 100 years old. She had promised to discuss the idea with her buddy
Joe Conant in 2019.
In terms of her private life, Hoffner spent almost 40 years working for
Illinois Bell Telephone. When she was in her 60s, she made the decision to
retire.
Given that her father lived into his 80s and her mother reached the age of
92, her longevity may have been influenced by her genes.
Hoffman used to travel the world, demonstrating her adventurous nature even
in her early years. She really disclosed that, with the exception of Alaska,
she has traveled to every state in the US.
She battled health problems that prevented her from driving and reading
until the age of 104, such as macular degeneration and surgery to remove
malignant breast tissue.
Regretfully, Dorothy Hoffner died in October 2023, a few days after her
second skydiving trip.
The Chicago Tribune was informed by her close friend Joe Conant, who also
used to work at the Brookdale Senior Living community where Hoffner resided,
that the woman passed away quietly as she slept.
He added to the source that Hoffner didn't jump just to break a record and
that she didn't initially desire the media attention she received.
He said that she wasn't attempting the world record; rather, she was doing
it because she wanted to go skydiving.
Hoffner stated to Today that she wished to go on a hot air balloon flight
when she celebrated her 105th birthday in December 2023.
She seemed happy with her life, even though she passed away, as she had
earlier said in an interview: "I didn't expect to be this old... I've had an
amazing life," she remarked.
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