Early life Burns was born
Harriet Tapp in
San Antonio, Texas, on August 20, 1928, and raised in
Seguin, Texas. She earned her
bachelor's degree from
Southern Methodist University in
Dallas and the
Carousel of Progress. Her work earned the attention of
Walt Disney. He featured Burns on several episodes of
The Wonderful World of Color, a 1960s
television show which gave a
behind-the-scenes look at the Walt Disney Company, including its theme parks. Burns retired from
Walt Disney Imagineering in 1986. She was honored in 1992 with a window display of her work on
Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland with a commemorative
plaque that reads, "The Artisans Loft, Handmade Miniatures by Harriet Burns." She was the first woman in Disney history to receive this honor. Burns was also designated a
Disney Legend by the
Walt Disney Company in 2000, as an employee "whose imagination, talents and dreams have created the Disney magic."
Death Harriet Burns died of complications from a heart condition at
USC University Hospital in Los Angeles on July 25, 2008, at the age of 79. Burns was survived by her daughter, Pam Burns-Clair; two sisters, Wilma Draves and Suzie Mosteller; two granddaughters, Chelsea and Haley Clair; and many extended family members. She was a resident of
Santa Barbara, California where she had been active in the arts and music community. == References ==