Dorothy Hoffner, a 104-year-old woman who went skydiving earlier this month, has passed away before Guinness World Records could confirm her feat as the oldest person to jump from a plane.
A Passion for Skydiving
Hoffner, who lived in Chicago, Illinois, had a passion for skydiving since she was 100 years old. She made her first jump in 2019 with Skydive Chicago, a company that offers tandem skydives for people of all ages and abilities. She enjoyed the experience so much that she decided to do it again four years later, on October 1, 2023.
According to Skydive Chicago, Hoffner jumped from 13,500 feet with instructor Rook Nelson, who described her as “an amazing woman”. She landed safely and was greeted by her family and friends, who celebrated her achievement with cake and champagne. Hoffner said she felt “wonderful” and “happy” after the jump.
A Potential World Record
Hoffner’s skydive was not only a personal accomplishment, but also a potential world record. She applied to Guinness World Records to claim the title of the oldest person to jump from a plane, which currently belongs to Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson of Sweden, who was 103 years old when she made a jump in 2022.
However, Hoffner’s record attempt was still under review by Guinness World Records, which requires evidence such as video footage, witness statements, and official documents to verify the claim. The process can take several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the record.
A Sad News
Unfortunately, Hoffner did not live long enough to see her record confirmed. She passed away on Monday, October 11, 2023, likely in her sleep, according to Brookdale Senior Living, the center where she resided. The center issued a statement expressing its sadness and admiration for Hoffner.
“The associates at Brookdale Lake View are deeply saddened by the passing of our resident, Dorothy Hoffner,” the statement said. “We were thrilled to see her continue to live with passion and purpose, skydiving earlier this month at 104 and ultimately proving that age is just a number. She will be greatly missed by our entire community.”
A memorial service for Hoffner will be held next month, according to The Associated Press.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Hoffner’s skydive has inspired many people around the world, who praised her courage and spirit on social media. Some of them shared their own stories of skydiving or expressed their desire to try it someday. Others thanked Hoffner for showing them that age is no barrier to pursuing one’s dreams.
Hoffner’s family also expressed their pride and gratitude for her life. Her daughter-in-law, Susan Hoffner, told NPR that Dorothy was “a very special lady” who “loved life”. She said Dorothy always had a positive attitude and a sense of humor. She also said Dorothy was adventurous and curious about the world.
“She always wanted to try new things,” Susan said. “She was always up for anything.”
