US woman celebrates 100th birthday with sky dive

In this Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014 photo, Eleanor “Nanny” Cunningham, left, with tandem master Dean McDonald, come in for a landing after their skydive in Gansevoort, N.Y, a day after her 100th birthday. It was Cunningham’s third jump, after taking up the sport at age 90. AP/The Albany Times Union, Michael P. Farrell

GANSEVOORT, New York – Eleanor Cunningham of Howes Cave, New York, has bested former President George H.W. Bush.

He celebrated his 90th birthday by skydiving; she made the big leap to mark her centennial.

Cunningham kissed her 7-month-old great-great-granddaughter before suiting up for her 100th birthday jump Saturday at Saratoga Skydiving in Gansevoort (GANZ’-voort). It was her third jump, after taking up the sport at age 90.

Cunningham lives with her granddaughter in their Schoharie (skoh-HAYR’-ee) County home in central New York. Her doctor signed off on the skydiving expedition, saying her health makes her more than capable of doing what she loves.

Dean McDonald of Saratoga Skydiving says Cunningham is his oldest jump partner yet.