Although she was still breaking records at age 81, Jeanne Daprano passed away from complications of Parkinson’s Disease on December 1 at age 85 following the death of her husband Bill, 94, on November 14.
In a 2018 CNN article, Samantha Bresnahan wrote: “ Jeanne Daprano wants the world to know something: she is not leaving anything behind. No regrets, no fear. At 81-years old, she is still pushing her body to the limit. She is still running competitive races, breaking world records and taking on new challenges”.
Daprano grew up in Iowa, lived and worked in California, and later lived with husband Bill in Fayetteville, Georgia. As an elementary school teacher, she began running in order to keep up with her students. Known as the running teacher she had students do fitness before morning studies and throughout the day. Daprano’s life as a runner took off when she began running road races competitively before moving to the track.
On July 21, 2012, she became the first woman over age 75 to run under seven minutes in the mile, with a time of 6:58.44. She is still the W70 world record holder in the women’s mile and the women’s W75 400m and 800m. In addition to her world bests, her many running accomplishments include: USA age group records in the W75/W80 Indoor 400m, W80 Indoor 800m, W75/W80 Indoor 1500m, and W75/W80 Indoor Mile along with several US and World
Age Group records in relays.
Bill Daprano, whom Jeanne was married to for over 22 years, was also an accomplished masters athlete and a part of two American age group record holding relay teams. Not content with solely running, Jeanne Daprano, in early 2018, took on a new challenge; indoor rowing competitions. In classic fashion, she broke the W80-84 world record in rowing 2,000 meters in 9:23.7.
In 2018, Daprano said: “The feeling of being fit at any age is a real gift, a blessing. When I get to the final finish line, here on Earth, I want this body to be worn out, there is not a thing left in it. I am not doing this to live to be 100. I am doing this to be the best I can be, today”.
Longtime friend, Christel Donley stated: “Jeanne was the best friend you could ever ask for in every respect, and being able to speak with her last week was a true blessing. She will be so missed”.
