A tribute to Diane Disney Miller, post 5 By Carol Dis Bowling, a member of The Walt Disney Family Museum with her husband, Michael Bowling When I first met Diane Disney Miller she was standing quietly in a corner of the Museum waiting for a presentation to begin. All I could think was what an elegant woman. In her quiet calm manner she spoke to those of us waiting about obtaining the attraction posters that hung on the Museum walls. She told us that she had to laugh at how many people enjoy buying and selling Disney memorabilia. And then she spoke about not letting the sellers know her identity or that she was acquiring the item for the Museum because the price would immediately increase. It reminded of the same strategy her father had when he acquired the land for the Parks. We were lucky enough to see her and speak to her several times since the Disney Family Museum opened in the Fall of 2009. Although she was a petite woman, she was a grand lady always dressed in a classic pantsuit. She was a woman who believed in fading back and allowing her father to be the center of attention whenever she was present in the Museum. Because of the stairs in the Museum theater, I generally sit in the last row. Many times I would find myself sitting next to Diane Disney Miller and her husband Ron Miller as they would quietly slip in just as one of the many presentations would begin. She would always have that beautiful sparkle when people spoke lovingly about her father. One of my favorite moments happened one afternoon as I was walking to our car after a presentation. I was walking slowly down the ramp and Diane came walking next to me. I could see some of her family standing in front of the Museum steps talking as they waited for her to join them. She didn’t rush from my side. I said to her that I wanted to thank her for opening the Museum and sharing her father with all of us. I told her that the Museum opened at a difficult point in my life and that it was a place where I was happy to send my husband often because it brought him joy. She stopped walking and put her hand on my arm and said I see you both here often. It means so much to me that you appreciate my father and his works. I should be thanking you for honoring me with your presence. What an incredible moment I will never forget. Although we will miss seeing her walking around the Museum her spirit will always be there. In my mind I see Diane in Heaven walking up to her father Walt and joining him sitting on a park bench. May she rest in peace.
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 03:57:24 +0000
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