Earlier this year, we shared the inspiring story of Norma Bauerschmidt—a woman who chose to live life to the fullest. Last summer, the former World War II WAVES Navy veteran learned she had uterine cancer two days before losing her husband of 67 years. At the age of 90, she would face surgery, radiation treatments, and chemotherapy—with no guarantee that she’d survive. After learning of the prescribed course of treatment, Norma looked her doctor dead in the eyes and said, “I’m 90 years old, I’m hitting the road.” On September 30, after a year the road with her family, Norma passed away on her own terms.
After making her tough decision, Bauerschmidt, known as “Miss Norma,” embraced her new life on the road with joyous enthusiasm as she traveled over 13,000 miles and slept in over 72 different locations in 32 states. Along with her son, Tim, daughter-in-law, Ramie, and poodle, Ringo, she rode horses, flew in a hot-air balloon, and went whale watching all while eating all of the cake and pie she could along the way. Sadly, Miss Norma’s travels ended in August, when after a trip to the San Juan County Fair in Washington, she went into hospice.
Miss Norma passed away on September 30th, and not in a hospital, but the trailer she called home for the past year. Although this inspiring woman may be gone, her journey lives on the Facebook page that documented her year on the road. Miss Norma will have a celebration of life on October 7th in Friday Harbor, Washington.
