Besties, blue skies and a dream

Mary got what she wanted for her 80th birthday - to jump out of a plane with her best friend

- MOIRA WELSH

Lina Zatzman, 80, does a tandem jump from 10,000 feet, along with Skydive Swoop instructor Alex Torre, in Dundas, Ont.

The single-propeller Cessna 206 has no passenger seats, so Mary Kelcey sits on the floor.

As the airplane climbs 1,000 feet every two minutes, Mary looks through the window at nothing but big blue sky.

The time to throw herself out the side door is fast approaching.

Ten months ago, at her 80th birthday party, Mary and longtime friend Lina Zatzman made wild plans to skydive in celebration of their octogenarian decade. They wanted to make a thrilling statement about living well and aging — on their terms.

While the Cessna carrying Mary cruises at 4,000 feet above farmers’ fields, Lina watches from the ground, waiting her turn.

Inside the plane, Mary’s eyes widen. From behind, a pair of black high-top men’s boots appear next to her ankle-high socks and slip-on shoes.

As the tiny Cessna takes off, 80-year-old Mary Kelcey, right, is gung-ho about the jump with Torre. The longtime friends and first-time skydivers share a hug after their thrilling experience.

Those boots belong to Alex Torre, the 46-year-old skydiving instructor at Skydive Swoop near Hamilton who is strapped onto her back, wearing the parachute he will flip open for their tandem jump.

Mary laughs, again. She’s having fun with Alex, who has been keeping her busy, prompting her to show a thumbs up to the GoPro camera strapped onto his wrist.

“6,000 feet!” he shouts, announcing the increasing altitude with theatrical glee.

Mary falls quiet.

This is where first-time skydivers enter what Alex calls the “thinking phase.” He tightens Mary’s harness and the straps, her lifeline to him.

At the 20-minute mark, when the plane hits 10,000 feet, Alex shouts: “Mareee! Are you ready?”