85-Year-Old Charlotte Moszczenski Takes Leap to Honor Late Husband

In a remarkable display of courage and determination, 85-year-old Charlotte Moszczenski fulfilled her lifelong dream of skydiving on March 15, 2024, in Sullivan, Missouri. This thrilling adventure served as a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Walter Moszczenski, a former paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division.

Charlotte’s daughter, Lisa Reando, described her mother as “very determined” and “hardheaded,” emphasizing that once Charlotte set her mind to this goal, there was no dissuading her. Although initially hesitant about her mother’s choice to skydive at her age, Reando reflected on Charlotte’s reasoning: “It makes sense for her to honor Walter in this way.”

A Tribute to a Legacy

Walter Moszczenski was a founding member of the St. Louis Parachute Club and passed away at the age of 37. Charlotte shared her motivation for the jump, stating, “My husband was a paratrooper. I’ve just always wanted to do it. Now’s my time, kind of in memory of him.” This sentiment resonated deeply within her family, with Reando noting that Walter would have been proud of Charlotte’s adventurous spirit.

Charlotte’s leap was facilitated through the “Dream Come True Program” offered by Cedarhurst of Tesson Heights, where she resides in south St. Louis County. Family and friends gathered to support her as she prepared for the jump at SkyDive STL.

Before taking off, Charlotte humorously noted her nerves, saying, “Sign my life away and listen to some instructions, which I’ve already forgotten.” Her tandem instructor, Noah, assured her that he would guide her through the experience.

A Leap of Faith

With the engine roaring and the parachute securely packed, Charlotte and Noah ascended to over 10,000 feet. As they prepared to jump, Charlotte embraced the moment. Following a thrilling descent, they gracefully landed back on solid ground.

“What’d you think? Do that again?” Noah asked after the landing. Charlotte’s response was enthusiastic: “I’m ready. Let’s go back up. Yeah!”

Back in the hangar, the atmosphere was celebratory as friends and family toasted to Charlotte’s accomplishment. “She’s not inspiring me to skydive, but she does inspire you to take a look at the thing you want to do and need to do while you can,” Reando said, reflecting on the significance of her mother’s achievement.

For Charlotte, the experience was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, allowing her to connect with her late husband’s legacy. “He’d say, ‘I can’t believe you did it, but he’d be proud,’” she concluded, capturing the essence of her adventure.