Diane Disney Miller dies at 79

Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Walt Disney's eldest daughter Diane Disney Miller died in Napa, Calif. from injuries sustained in a fall, The Walt Disney Museum reported Tuesday. She was 79.

Disney Miller was president of the Board of Directors of the Walt Disney Family Foundation, a non profit that owns and operates the Walt Disney Family Museum located in the Presidio in San Francisco.

In a press release that announced her death, the museum thanked Disney fans for their thoughts and prayers and asked for privacy and respect for the Disney family during this difficult time.

"It is with deep sadness that The Walt Disney Family Museum must share that Diane Disney Miller has passed away. Diane died of complications from a fall. Diane was the eldest daughter of Walt and Lillian Disney, wife to Ron Miller, mother of seven children, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and an inspiration to us all. Words cannot begin to express our sadness at Diane’s death. She was an extraordinary philanthropist and enthusiastic supporter of the arts. Diane carried on her father’s legacy with dignity, grace, and devotion. While the family appreciates your thoughts and prayers, we kindly request that their privacy is respected at this time."

Disney Miller, a mother of seven, devoted her early life to raising her seven children and later began to document her father's life. She was reportedly concerned that his name had become a corporate identity more than a reference to the man he was. In 2011 The Man Behind the Myth, a documentary film about Walt Disney’s life, was released by the Walt Disney Family Foundation.

Disnney Miller is survived by her husband Ron, her children Christopher Miller, Joanna Miller, Tamara Diane Miller, Jennifer Miller-Goff, Walter Elias Disney Miller, Ronald Miller, and Patrick Miller, and grandchildren Annabelle Rey, Nick Runeare, Ryan Scheer, Sam Goff, Danielle Durham, Sebastian Runeare, Charlotte Goff, Lily Goff, Haley Scheer, Reilly Miller, Madeline Goff, William Miller, and Elias Miller, and great granddaughter Stella Durham.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers and gifts, people make donations to the memorial fund the The Walt Disney Family Museum created in her honor. Contributions will fund the museum's education efforts, exhibitions, and programs. The offerings can be sent to the family through The Walt Disney Family Museum, attn: Director's Office; 104 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94129.

Disney Miller's service will be private. The museum may plan a program or event in her honor later on.

[The Walt Disney Family Museum]