Like mother like daughter.
In the case of Marsha Passmore and Dodie White, the adage could not be more appropriate. For the past 14 years, the sisters taken their mother, Dora Beveard, on a tropical cruise for Mother’s Day.
Not only are the sisters spoiling their mother, but also they are following in her footsteps.
Beveard always went on summer trips with her sister and friends. The girls-only vacation took the fun-loving travelers from the mountains to the seashore. Finally, when Passmore and White were teenagers, they were allowed to join their mother on the annual excursions.
The first year, they went to the mountains in North Carolina near Chimney Rock.
“It was just priceless,” Passmore said. “We just try and carry on that tradition of travel.”
With a love of travel instilled in them from their teenage years, the sisters began taking cruise trips in their 20s. In 1999, other family members and friends joined them on their cruise. Their mother was among them.
“She just said it was the best vacation she had in her life,” Passmore said. “So we decided to take her on a cruise for Mother’s Day.”
The tradition stuck.
This year, the sisters and their mother booked a trip to Cozumel, Mexico. They left May 2, from the Port of Tampa.
In the past, the trio took a seven-night cruise, packed with activities, food and adventure. But this year, now that Beveard is 88, they decided to go for a four-day cruise.
“We didn’t want to overwhelm her,” Passmore said. “But, we were surprised. She did better than we expected. Next year, we might have to opt for the longer cruise again.”
While out at sea, the women spent the majority of time on their suite’s balcony. They took in the view of the ocean, smelled the salty air and enjoyed each other’s company.
Every morning, they munched on breakfast while sitting out on their balcony. They also had an afternoon snack overlooking the water.
“Mother loves dominoes,” White said. “So, we always make sure we spend some time playing them.”
The trio also made sure to enjoy many activities any mother-daughter team would like, including shopping and watching evening performances.
“We just relax when we get on the ship,” Passmore said.
The trip to Cozumel has been one of White’s favorites.
“It was convenient, (because) we left from Tampa,” White said. “We had two of the best waiters, too, who just really catered to Mother.”
The waiters were among the highlights of the trip. The bus boy would sneak up behind Beveard and kiss her jokingly. They even started calling her “Mama.”
“Mother is always a hit with our waiters,” Passmore said. “They just dote on her. They take good care of her.”
They took such good care of Beveard, that when they stopped in Cozumel, Beveard bought them two T-shirts that fit their personality. The outgoing bus boy got a T-shirt with a smiley face on it, and the head waiter one that looked like a tuxedo.
“They loved them,” White said. “I don’t think anyone has ever bought them a gift in the port before. They were showing the shirts to other tables.”
The ladies also went on a historical tour of the port. The tour guide had around 25 years of experience and was enthusiastic as ever, pushing Bevard’s wheelchair.
“She can really get a taste of the history and learn about the port we’re in,” White said. “He took care of her.”
The family was in Cozumel the day before Cinco de Mayo.
“There were celebrations going on,” Passmore said. “It was just real festive that particular day. We felt privilege to be there on that day.”
The family hasn’t planned a trip for next year, but White hopes they will revisit Grand Cayman.
“We haven’t been in a couple of years,” White said. “I know she knows she’s loved. We do this, because we love her too much. You can’t take any moment for granted.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
DESTINATIONS
In the past 14 years, Marsha Passmore, Dodie White and Dora Beveard have traveled to:
The Bahamas
Belize
The Cayman Islands
Costa Maya
Cozumel
Honduras
Jamaica
Key West
New Orleans
St. Maarten
St. Thomas
