Dorothy Hoffner, a 104-year-old woman from Chicago, passed away a few days after attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the oldest skydiver.
On October 1st, Hoffner skydived from a plane at 13,500 feet (4,100 meters) at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, which is located 85 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.
After landing, Hoffner told a cheering crowd: “Age is just a number.”
It was not her first time skydiving. She had previously skydived when she was 100 years old.
A few days after skydiving, the 104-year-old woman was found dead in her sleep on Sunday night, October 8th.
She was found dead by staff at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community, on Monday morning, October 9.
Her close friend, Joe Conant, said that Hoffner was “indefatigable” and “always going.” He described her as someone who was always present and fully engaged in life.
Conant said that Hoffner didn’t skydive to break a record, but because she enjoyed it. However, he is working to ensure that Guinness World Records certifies Hoffner posthumously as the world’s oldest skydiver.
Hoffner worked as a telephone operator for over 40 years with Illinois Bell, which later became AT&T. She retired 43 years ago and was never married. She had no immediate family members.
A memorial service will be held for Hoffner in early November.
