Miss Norma, Internet Celebrity Who Road Tripped Despite Cancer, Dies at 91
The woman who chose cross-country road trips over cancer treatment has died at age 91, a year of adventures later.
Norma Jean Bauerschmidt, whom lost her husband of 67 years and was diagnosed with uterine cancer last year yet decided to live out her last days road-tripping across the U.S. instead of undergoing chemotherapy, died on Friday.
“Miss Norma” made headlines last year for her inspirational choice of traveling to America’s most famous spots with her son and daughter-in-law, documenting her adventures on the Facebook page Driving Miss Norma, which has almost half-a-million likes.
“I’m 90 years old, I’m hitting the road,” Bauerschmidt announced before embarking.
And hit the road she did, visiting national landmarks like Yellowstone National Park and dream destinations like Walt Disney World.
Bauerschmidt truly defined what “living each day like it’s your last” meant by exploring the world to her best ability instead of laying down at home or a hospital going through treatment.
Born on March 31, 1925, Bauerschmidt leaves this world on September 30, 2016, and with fond memories to take with her.
“Life is a balance between holding on and letting go,” wrote her son, Rumi, on the Facebook page. “Today we are letting go.”
Reactions to her death on Facebook show the tremendous amount of hearts she has touched and the inspiring legacy she’s left behind for those to follow.
