FILE - In this June 13, 2016, file photo, Norma Bauerschmidt holds up one of her favorite smiley-face cookies inside the family's recreational vehicle at the Bear Run Campground in Portersville, Pa. Bauerschmidt, who decided to take a cross-country RV trip instead of undergoing cancer treatment has died at the age of 91. More than 400,000 people have followed Norma Jean Bauerschmidt's journey with her son and daughter-in-law on her "Driving Miss Norma" Facebook page. Her final stop was San Juan Island, Wash. San Juan County Coroner Randall Gaylord said Bauerschmidt died Friday, Sept. 30. (Darrell Sapp/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File)

Woman who opted for RV trip over cancer treatment dies at 91

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. – A Michigan woman who decided to take a cross-country RV trip instead of undergoing cancer treatment has died at the age of 91.

More than 400,000 people have followed Norma Jean Bauerschmidt’s journey with her son and daughter-in-law on her “Driving Miss Norma” Facebook page. Her final stop was San Juan Island, Washington, located in the northwest corner of the United States.

San Juan County Coroner Randall Gaylord says Bauerschmidt died Friday morning.

Bauerschmidt’s daughter-in-law writes on the page that she decided to take the trip last year after being told that surgery, radiation and chemotherapy was the likely treatment for tumour.

She began hospice care after arriving in the San Juan Island town of Friday Harbor in August.

A memorial service is scheduled for Bauerschmidt in Friday Harbor on Friday.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.
The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles