104-Year-Old Skydiver’s Remarkable Journey Comes to an End

In an awe-inspiring feat that captivated onlookers, 104-year-old Dorothy Hoffner, who could have secured a place in history as the oldest person to take a leap from an airplane, passed away a mere week after her daring skydiving adventure. On October 1, with an infectious enthusiasm, Dorothy exclaimed, “Let’s go, let’s go, Geronimo,” before plunging headfirst from a plane at an altitude of 13,500 feet (4,114 meters) in northern Illinois, USA.

Her close friend, Joe Conant, revealed that Dorothy’s motivation was pure joy, not record-breaking ambitions, though he is in the process of filing paperwork with Guinness World Records, currently held by a 103-year-old.

Tragically, on Monday morning, Dorothy Hoffner was found lifeless in her retirement home, having seemingly passed away in her sleep just one week after her skydiving adventure. Joe Conant, who had known her for several years as a nurse and caregiver to another resident, described her as indefatigable, always present at events and functions, and someone who refused to take afternoon naps.

Dorothy’s motivation for her final skydive was simple: she wanted to relive the exhilaration of her first jump at the age of 100, but this time, she was determined to lead the jump herself, not be pushed. The crowd roared with excitement as she gracefully touched down in Ottawa, 85 miles southwest of Chicago, and she confidently proclaimed, “Age is just a number.”

Reunited with her walking frame, Dorothy expressed her joy at being back on solid ground, describing her skydiving experience as “wonderful” and “delightful.”

Despite being on the cusp of her 105th birthday in December, she entertained the idea of riding in a hot air balloon next, an adventure she had never embarked upon before.

Joe Conant is diligently working through the paperwork to secure Guinness World Records certification for his late friend as the world’s oldest skydiver, though he acknowledges that this process will require some time. The current record holder, Linnea Ingegard Larsson of Sweden, achieved this feat in May 2022 at the age of 103.

Dorothy Hoffner had no intention of pursuing a record or seeking publicity; she simply wanted to savor the thrill of skydiving.

In a joint statement, Skydive Chicago and the United States Parachute Association expressed their deep sadness at Dorothy’s passing and their pride in having been a part of her record-setting skydive. They celebrated her as a reminder that it’s never too late to experience the thrill of a lifetime.

Dorothy Hoffner, a former telephone operator with Illinois Bell (now AT&T), dedicated over 40 years to her career and retired 43 years ago. Without immediate family members, a memorial service in her honor is planned for early November.

In Joe Conant’s words, Dorothy Hoffner was not just a dear friend; she was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her.