Dorothy Hoffner, a remarkable 104-year-old from Chicago, who recently soared through the skies in a record-setting skydive, has left us.
Hoffner passed away before earning official recognition from Guinness World Records as the oldest person to ever leap from an aircraft. She was discovered by the staff at Brookdale Lake View Senior Living Community on Monday morning, October 9, having peacefully departed in her sleep the night before.
Close friend Joe Conant, who affectionately referred to her as "Grandma" as per her request, spoke of Hoffner's astonishing vitality and mental acuity. He remembered her as indefatigable, never one to take afternoon naps or miss any gathering or dinner. She was always fully present and maintained an unwavering zest for life.
On October 1, Hoffner embarked on a tandem skydive at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, jumping from a staggering height of 13,500 feet (4,100 meters). This feat could have secured her a place in the record books as the world's oldest skydiver. It was not her first foray into the world of skydiving; she had previously taken the plunge at the youthful age of 100.
Hoffner's friend, Joe Conant, was in the process of ensuring Guinness World Records would posthumously recognize her as the world's oldest skydiver. However, he expected this process to take some time, as the current record was set in May 2022 by 103-year-old Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson of Sweden.
Conant emphasized that Hoffner didn't skydive to break records or seek publicity. She simply cherished the experience and relished the thrill.
Skydive Chicago and the United States Parachute Association issued a joint statement, expressing their deep sorrow at Dorothy's passing and their honor in facilitating her record-setting skydive. They emphasized that her remarkable life serves as a reminder that one is never too old to embrace life's exhilarating adventures.
Hoffner dedicated over four decades of her life as a telephone operator with Illinois Bell, which later became AT&T. She retired 43 years ago, remaining a lifelong Chicago resident and never marrying. With no immediate family members, a memorial service for Hoffner is scheduled for early November. Dorothy Hoffner's spirit and extraordinary pursuits will be remembered and celebrated by many.