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Writer's pictureEliane Ramin

Dorothy Hoffner: The Example in the Heights... Parachutes of Dreams.

An inspiring journey of Dorothy Hoffner, the courageous 104-year-old woman who defied age and fear by skydiving to fulfill her dream. Her story teaches us that it's never too late to pursue our dreams, regardless of age.


Let me tell you a story; the main character is named Dorothy, the same name as the protagonist in the book "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. Just like in the book, our young Dorothy also dreamed of finding a place beyond the rainbow and living an extraordinary adventure. In "The Wizard of Oz," she is accompanied by faithful friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, as they journey toward the Emerald City to find the Great Wizard of Oz, hoping to fulfill their deepest desires. Dorothy is brave, kind, and determined, and her story has become a classic tale in children's literature, with valuable lessons about friendship, overcoming challenges, and the pursuit of one's own dreams.


But we're not talking about this Dorothy; we're talking about a woman who inspires us to chase our dreams, regardless of our age.


woman and Parachutes of Dreams

A Life of Determination

The story we're about to tell is about Dorothy Hoffner, an American who taught us that life is a journey full of possibilities, even when we think time has passed us by.

We won't delve into her childhood, where she probably dreamt of Oz stories. What we do know is that she was born into a low-income family, which prevented her from pursuing higher education. She worked for a telephone company, never married, and had no children. At 104 years old, she lived in a senior community at Brookdale Lake View in Chicago, United States. According to her caregivers, she was tireless, always moving forward. Dorothy wasn't the type to take an afternoon nap or miss any event, dinner, or the like. She was always there, fully present, just moving forward, always.

Dorothy's Dream

Dorothy had a dream: to enter the Guinness World Records as the oldest person in the world to go skydiving. At 100 years old, she had already experienced the thrill of skydiving and described the experience as "fun." But Dorothy wanted more; she wanted to feel the sensation of flying again and, at the same time, leave her story as an example for new generations. And, believe it or not, she achieved it.

The Leap of Achievement

On October 1, 2023, she embarked on the adventure and showed the world that it's necessary to conquer fear and that age is just a number! Yet, she confessed that she didn't understand why so many people greeted her with applause.

A Farewell and a Lasting Legacy

A week after her adventure, she embarked on another dream-filled journey but in a different dimension. In the morning, her passing was confirmed, likely during her sleep, but the cause of her death has not been determined.

Dorothy's Lesson

Dorothy's story is a powerful reminder that age should never be an obstacle to pursuing our dreams. She shows us that life is full of opportunities, no matter what stage of life we're in. If you think it's too late to start over, Dorothy is proof that you're mistaken.

Every Journey is Unique!

Dorothy's life also teaches us that each person's journey is unique. So, what is your biggest dream? And what's holding you back from achieving it? Remember Dorothy and know that, regardless of your age, it's always time to start living your dreams. Life is a journey full of possibilities, and the future is a blank book ready to be filled with the colors of your desires. So, follow Dorothy's example and start writing your own chapter of fulfillment today.

🪂If you want to learn more about Dorothy Hoffner's story, access the links below. And if you enjoyed this, please leave your comments and share to inspire more people to pursue their dreams. 🌟"



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