Leota Toombs

Leota "Lee" Toombs Thomas (born Leota Anne Wharton; August 9, 1925 – December 21, 1991) was an American artist and Imagineer at WED Enterprises, who worked on several original attractions at Disneyland Park. She had an extensive career at The Walt Disney Company, beginning in the company's Ink and Paint department in 1940 and later transferring to the Animation Department, where she met her first husband, lead animator Harvey Toombs. Toombs is best known for serving as the model for the character Madame Leota in the Haunted Mansion attraction. She was officially named a Disney Legend for her contributions in the categories of Attractions and Imagineering in 2009.