Dorothy Hoffner, the 104-year-old woman who recently made headlines for skydiving, passed away peacefully at her home in Chicago. Despite all the attention she received for her daring feat, Hoffner remained unphased and nonchalant about the media frenzy surrounding her. The cause of her death is still unknown, as stated by Joe Conant, a nurse who knew her well. Born in 1918, Hoffner lived a relatively quiet life until she decided to take up skydiving at the age of 100. She saw it as a fun activity rather than a statement about defying age expectations.
Hoffner’s skydiving adventure brought her international admiration and became a symbol of living life to the fullest, particularly in older age. Although she broke the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to skydive, Hoffner’s attitude remained unchanged. She continued to focus on simple things like dinner plans, regardless of the recognition she received. Initially, she was not excited about the media attention but eventually embraced it as an opportunity to meet new people. During interviews, she was more interested in learning about the reporters’ lives rather than discussing her own upbringing during the early 20th century.
Hoffner led an adventurous and independent life, free from the constraints of marriage and children. She cherished her freedom, which allowed her to enjoy boat rides under starlight in Germany, take road trips in her blue Dodge Coronet, and go on impromptu beach vacations in Mexico. Known for her witty and kind nature, Hoffner had a favorite saying that reflected her approach to life: “Love your neighbor as yourself” – although she made it clear that not all neighbors were likable. Despite the attention she received, Hoffner remained down-to-earth and declined further televised interviews, jokingly threatening to give her nurse a black eye for getting her caught up in the media frenzy. She had recently reminisced about her skydiving adventure with Joe Conant and appeared in good spirits before her passing. Their interactions were marked by their close relationship and Hoffner’s unyielding zest for life.
