Today, the 68-year-old grandmother said she would do it all again in a heartbeat and is looking forward to the 50th anniversary reunion of Newcastle Sports Parachute Club, which started at Cessnock in 1960.

The group is one of the oldest parachute clubs in the world.

The sport of parachuting took Mrs Lewis around the world and helped her seal friendships with people whom she hopes to catch up with at the reunion in April next year.

She joined the club in 1962 after a chance meeting with Newcastle parachuting pioneer Andy Keech, who will travel from the US to be guest speaker at the reunion.

Mrs Lewis travelled to championships in Germany, England, France and the US, completing more than 150 jumps.

"It was an amazing experience," Mrs Lewis said.

"I was aged 21 when I took up the sport and I later broke my ankle in England and was in plaster for six weeks."

The injury marked the end of Mrs Lewis's skydiving career.

"But my life took a different path and I had two children and now have a grandchild."

The reunion will be held between April 21 and 26, culminating in a dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.