World’s Oldest Skydiver, Dorothy Hoffner, Dies before Guinness World Records Certification

By Admin

Dorothy Hoffner, a 104-year-old woman from Chicago, who made headlines for her courageous skydiving adventure in an attempt to set a world record, has passed away, leaving her record unverified by Guinness World Records.

Hoffner, who had showcased remarkable vitality in her pursuit, was discovered deceased on the morning of October 9th by staff at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community.

Her dear friend, Joe Conant, a nurse who affectionately referred to her as “Grandma” upon her request, reported that Hoffner appeared to have peacefully passed away in her sleep during the night of October 8th.

Conant had crossed paths with Hoffner several years ago while working as a caregiver at the senior living center.

On October 1st, Hoffner embarked on a tandem skydive at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, leaping from a staggering altitude of 13,500 feet (4,100 meters). This audacious leap could have potentially secured her a place in the record books as the world’s oldest skydiver. Remarkably, she had already taken a similar plunge at the youthful age of 100.

Joe Conant is currently working tirelessly to ensure that Guinness World Records posthumously recognizes Hoffner as the world’s oldest skydiver. However, this process may take some time. The existing record was set in May 2022 by 103-year-old Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson of Sweden.

It’s important to note that Hoffner’s decision to skydive was not motivated by a desire to break records or seek publicity. Conant emphasized, “She had no intention of breaking the record. And she had no interest in any publicity or anything. She wasn’t doing it for any other reason than she wanted to go skydiving.”

Skydive Chicago and the United States Parachute Association paid tribute to Hoffner in a joint statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened by Dorothy’s passing and feel honored to have been a part of making her world-record skydive a reality.

Skydiving is an activity that many of us safely tuck away on our bucket lists. But Dorothy reminds us that it’s never too late to embrace the thrill of a lifetime. We are forever grateful that skydiving was a part of her exciting, well-lived life.”

Hoffner had a long and dedicated career, working for more than four decades as a telephone operator with Illinois Bell, later known as AT&T, before retiring 43 years ago. She was a lifelong Chicago resident with no immediate family members.

A memorial service to celebrate the extraordinary life of Dorothy Hoffner is scheduled to take place in early November. While her Guinness World Records certification remains pending, her legacy as the “oldest skydiver” is sure to inspire generations to come.