104-year-old Dorothy Hoffner, oldest tandem skydiver, has died
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Many are mourning the loss of the Chicago-area woman who was the oldest person to skydive.
The 104-year-old Chicago woman who went skydiving last week, hoping to become the oldest to do it, has died.
Dorothy Hoffner was born and raised in Chicago.
"We are deeply saddened by Dorothy's passing and feel honored to have been a part of making her world-record skydive a reality," according to Skydive Chicago.
Hoffner ditched her walker and jumped out of a plane last weekend, falling at a speed of 120 mph before landing amid a crowd of cheering supporters.
"Skydiving is an activity that many of us safely tucked away in our bucket lists. But Dorothy reminds us that it's never too late to take the thrill of a lifetime. We are forever grateful that skydiving was a part of her exciting, well-lived life. Her legacy is even more remarkable because of the attention the world gave to her inspiring story," said Skydive Chicago in a statement.
Skydive Chicago is working with the Guinness Book of World Records to have her feat certified as the oldest person in the world to tandem skydive.
Hoffner said the experience was "wonderful."
It wasn't her first jump. She also went skydiving at age 100.
Hoffner would have turned 105 in December. Hoffner said she also wanted to ride in a hot air balloon.
