July 25, 2008--Our dear friend and Carolwood Society member Harriet Burns passed on this morning at 10:30 due to complications related to heart surgery performed last week.

We last saw Harriet on May 18 at the dedication ceremony of Ollie Johnston's Depot located near Walt Disney's Barn in Griffith Park. Her name is on one of the permanent tiles set in concrete at the base of the Depot. The Myers family of Santa Barbara generously donated the tile in her honor. She and her long-time friend Blaine Gibson (who also has a tile donated by the Myers) were among the honored guests that beautiful spring day.

Harriet, who was born in San Antonio, Texas, August 20, 1928, received her art training at Southern Methodist University. After moving to Los Angeles with her husband in 1953, she was hired by a company known as Display Industries Corporative Exchange (DICE) that built props and sets for the burgeoning television industry and Las Vegas hotels. Her talents for color and design were instrumental in the creation of Santa Village near Lake Arrowhead.

Following the close of DICE in 1955, she applied for a position at Walt Disney Productions, which was developing a kid's show for ABC. The Mickey Mouse Club became the most popular afternoon television program of its era and the sets and props were the work of Harriet. Even though it was broadcast in shades of gray, Harriet took great pride in creating colorful sets that were vibrant and energizing. Walt had the foresight to film the show in full color so her work is preserved in perpetuity.

As the first woman to be cast as an Imagineer, Harriet's many talents were utilized to create such iconic attractions as Pirates of the Caribbean, It's a small world, The Enchanted Tiki Room, and many more. Due to her exceptionally good looks and pleasant Texas-style personality, Walt liked to cast her on his Sunday evening television show, known by such titles such as Walt Disney Presents and Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. Over time, Harriet came to regard Walt as a mentor and father figure. His passing in 1966 was particularly hard for her. She stayed another 20 years, working on a host of projects for Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland. Eventually she retired to Santa Barbara after 31 years with Disney, which included mentoring the next generation of Imagineers. In 2000, Harriet was named a Disney Legend.

She is survived by her two daughters who live in Sonoma, California.

For all who had the pleasure of knowing Harriet, we are fortunate to have many remarkable reminders of her artistic talents and beautiful spirit.

Disney Imagineering Legends Blaine Gibson and Harriet Burns are introduced to the audience by Michael Broggie at the recent dedication of Ollie Johnston's Depot at Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn in Griffith Park. (Photo by Doug Marsh)