To Lisa McDonald, there is no one in the world who loves the Disney character Bambi more than her mother, Phyllis.

That is why when the 82-year-old Victorian grandma was nearing her final moments of life last month, Lisa knew she had to do something to make her mother’s last memory an unforgettable one.

Credit: 7News.​

Ever since they were kids, Lisa and her sisters Allison and Carol knew of their mum’s obsession with all items Bambi-related, the fictional deer character from the classic 1942 animated Disney movie.

Over the years, Phyllis had collected mountains and mountains of Bambi merchandise. Her loved ones made sure she gets Bambi-related stuff on her birthdays and holidays.

From Bambi-related clothes to linen, statues and even soft toys, Phyllis had them all.

However, old age caught up to her and she had been in and out of the hospital several times already. Phyllis had been battling polycystic kidney disease for years, and after a string of bad surgeries, she was left hospital-bound for good.

One day, when the grandma was wheeled into the operating room for another surgery, she called Lisa to say her final goodbyes, as she was feeling that she might not make it out alive.

Thankfully, Phyllis managed to survive the operation. However, she later confided to her daughters that she was sick of being poked and prodded in the hospital, and wanted to go home instead.

The doctors allowed the McDonald family to take their grandma home to take care of her themselves, knowing that they eventually have to face the inevitable.

Credit: 7News.​

In the comfort of her own home, Phyllis was back to her cheeky self, together with her Bambi bed sheets and pillowcases. Even the family members at home were all wearing Bambi tops, which the grandma joked was their “nursing uniforms”.

The days at the McDonald's household were gradually winding down, as the family members noticed that Phyllis was becoming increasingly tired. Lisa and her sisters knew that their mum did not have much time left.

One morning, Lisa had an epiphany – her mum had never met a real-life Bambi before.

So, she shot for the moon and asked people on Facebook the most unusual request she ever made: “Did anyone nearby have a deer that could visit and make a dying lady very happy?”

She never expected her post to go viral online. Within hours, a mobile farm located two-and-a-half hours from them contacted Lisa, saying they could help.

Simone and Chris from Barn Buddies said they could bring a young deer – coincidentally also named “Bambi” – to be with Phyllis in her last moments.

Lisa was blown away by the kindness of the two strangers and she couldn’t believe they would drive nearly three hours just to make her mum smile.

Chris and Simone, together with Bambi, arrived at the McDonald household at night. As soon as they arrived at the front door, the family members led them to Phyllis’ room, much to her surprise.

The 82-year-old Bambi fan could not believe her eyes when a real-life Bambi entered her room. The fawn inched closer to Phyllis as she wrapped her frail arms around the gentle animal.

For hours, the McDonald family, together with Simone and Chris, simply watched Phyllis and Bambi spend their time at each other’s side.

When the time came for the Barn Buddies to say goodbye, Lisa was surprised that they were not asking for anything. “They wouldn’t take a cent, not even petrol money,” she said.

That night, snuggled down in her favourite purple satin sheets, her Bambi themed duvet and matching Bambi top, and still smiling from the once-in-a-lifetime encounter, Phyllis McDonald closed her eyes and never opened them again.

Credit: 7News.​

The McDonald family laid Phyllis to rest dressed in a Bambi T-shirt in a Bambi wrapped coffin. “Mum wanted to wear a Bambi T-shirt in her coffin, so that happened,” Lisa said.

Even her family and friends honoured her by also wearing the Disney deer shirts on the day. Simone and Chris also sent flowers, along with a card signed by them and Bambi.

According to Lisa, her family will never forget the amazing act of kindness Simone and Chris showed their mum on her last day.

She says that while there's so much sorrow and pain, it's important to remember there are also kind people out there.

 

[JayKay]

How beautiful.....for the precious Mum to be able to interact with this gorgeous animal (look at the eyes), and for the caring Simone and Chris for sharing Bambi and their time and effort to Phyllis, and for the daughters, the 3 sisters, who created the opportunity for this to happen. They went to every length to see if it might be possible, if they hadn't tried, it could not have taken place.
If you try and can't achieve what you'd like, you know you tried.
If you are able to achieve your desired outcome, through the generosity of others, you create indelible memories....
Well done all round.

 

[Ricci]

What a beautiful couple to be able to make this family's wish come true. They, and Bambi, have helped this family through a very difficult time and left them with some fantastic memories. Not all heroes wear capes!

 

[KatKop]

Bawling my eyes out ...

 

[SandyW]

The Story of Phyllis McDonald – Bambi’s biggest fan​

To Lisa McDonald, there is no one in the world who loves the Disney character Bambi more than her mother, Phyllis.

That is why when the 82-year-old Victorian grandma was nearing her final moments of life last month, Lisa knew she had to do something to make her mother’s last memory an unforgettable one.

Credit: 7News.​

Ever since they were kids, Lisa and her sisters Allison and Carol knew of their mum’s obsession with all items Bambi-related, the fictional deer character from the classic 1942 animated Disney movie.

Over the years, Phyllis had collected mountains and mountains of Bambi merchandise. Her loved ones made sure she gets Bambi-related stuff on her birthdays and holidays.

From Bambi-related clothes to linen, statues and even soft toys, Phyllis had them all.

​

However, old age caught up to her and she had been in and out of the hospital several times already. Phyllis had been battling polycystic kidney disease for years, and after a string of bad surgeries, she was left hospital-bound for good.

One day, when the grandma was wheeled into the operating room for another surgery, she called Lisa to say her final goodbyes, as she was feeling that she might not make it out alive.

Thankfully, Phyllis managed to survive the operation. However, she later confided to her daughters that she was sick of being poked and prodded in the hospital, and wanted to go home instead.

The doctors allowed the McDonald family to take their grandma home to take care of her themselves, knowing that they eventually have to face the inevitable.

Credit: 7News.​

In the comfort of her own home, Phyllis was back to her cheeky self, together with her Bambi bed sheets and pillowcases. Even the family members at home were all wearing Bambi tops, which the grandma joked was their “nursing uniforms”.

The days at the McDonald's household were gradually winding down, as the family members noticed that Phyllis was becoming increasingly tired. Lisa and her sisters knew that their mum did not have much time left.

​

One morning, Lisa had an epiphany – her mum had never met a real-life Bambi before.

So, she shot for the moon and asked people on Facebook the most unusual request she ever made: “Did anyone nearby have a deer that could visit and make a dying lady very happy?”

She never expected her post to go viral online. Within hours, a mobile farm located two-and-a-half hours from them contacted Lisa, saying they could help.

Simone and Chris from Barn Buddies said they could bring a young deer – coincidentally also named “Bambi” – to be with Phyllis in her last moments.

Lisa was blown away by the kindness of the two strangers and she couldn’t believe they would drive nearly three hours just to make her mum smile.

​

Chris and Simone, together with Bambi, arrived at the McDonald household at night. As soon as they arrived at the front door, the family members led them to Phyllis’ room, much to her surprise.

The 82-year-old Bambi fan could not believe her eyes when a real-life Bambi entered her room. The fawn inched closer to Phyllis as she wrapped her frail arms around the gentle animal.

For hours, the McDonald family, together with Simone and Chris, simply watched Phyllis and Bambi spend their time at each other’s side.

When the time came for the Barn Buddies to say goodbye, Lisa was surprised that they were not asking for anything. “They wouldn’t take a cent, not even petrol money,” she said.

That night, snuggled down in her favourite purple satin sheets, her Bambi themed duvet and matching Bambi top, and still smiling from the once-in-a-lifetime encounter, Phyllis McDonald closed her eyes and never opened them again.

Credit: 7News.​

The McDonald family laid Phyllis to rest dressed in a Bambi T-shirt in a Bambi wrapped coffin. “Mum wanted to wear a Bambi T-shirt in her coffin, so that happened,” Lisa said.

Even her family and friends honoured her by also wearing the Disney deer shirts on the day. Simone and Chris also sent flowers, along with a card signed by them and Bambi.

According to Lisa, her family will never forget the amazing act of kindness Simone and Chris showed their mum on her last day.

She says that while there's so much sorrow and pain, it's important to remember there are also kind people out there.

I had tears in my eyes after reading this. Chris and Simone made one lady very happy.

 

[JustPat]

It bought me a smile to my face and tears to my eyes at the same time, such a beautiful and heart warming event.

 

[barbwire]

I am reading this with a racing heart because I honestly thought my Mother was the only obsessed Bambi fan! She too has all the clothing, crockery, toys, ornaments and much more. It was her first ever cinema movie as a young girl. I can totally relate to the daughters, and know that your Mum would’ve been absolutely in love with her magnificent furry visitor. What a beautiful idea.

 

[BrendaS]

The Story of Phyllis McDonald – Bambi’s biggest fan​

To Lisa McDonald, there is no one in the world who loves the Disney character Bambi more than her mother, Phyllis.

That is why when the 82-year-old Victorian grandma was nearing her final moments of life last month, Lisa knew she had to do something to make her mother’s last memory an unforgettable one.

Credit: 7News.​

Ever since they were kids, Lisa and her sisters Allison and Carol knew of their mum’s obsession with all items Bambi-related, the fictional deer character from the classic 1942 animated Disney movie.

Over the years, Phyllis had collected mountains and mountains of Bambi merchandise. Her loved ones made sure she gets Bambi-related stuff on her birthdays and holidays.

From Bambi-related clothes to linen, statues and even soft toys, Phyllis had them all.

​

However, old age caught up to her and she had been in and out of the hospital several times already. Phyllis had been battling polycystic kidney disease for years, and after a string of bad surgeries, she was left hospital-bound for good.

One day, when the grandma was wheeled into the operating room for another surgery, she called Lisa to say her final goodbyes, as she was feeling that she might not make it out alive.

Thankfully, Phyllis managed to survive the operation. However, she later confided to her daughters that she was sick of being poked and prodded in the hospital, and wanted to go home instead.

The doctors allowed the McDonald family to take their grandma home to take care of her themselves, knowing that they eventually have to face the inevitable.

Credit: 7News.​

In the comfort of her own home, Phyllis was back to her cheeky self, together with her Bambi bed sheets and pillowcases. Even the family members at home were all wearing Bambi tops, which the grandma joked was their “nursing uniforms”.

The days at the McDonald's household were gradually winding down, as the family members noticed that Phyllis was becoming increasingly tired. Lisa and her sisters knew that their mum did not have much time left.

​

One morning, Lisa had an epiphany – her mum had never met a real-life Bambi before.

So, she shot for the moon and asked people on Facebook the most unusual request she ever made: “Did anyone nearby have a deer that could visit and make a dying lady very happy?”

She never expected her post to go viral online. Within hours, a mobile farm located two-and-a-half hours from them contacted Lisa, saying they could help.

Simone and Chris from Barn Buddies said they could bring a young deer – coincidentally also named “Bambi” – to be with Phyllis in her last moments.

Lisa was blown away by the kindness of the two strangers and she couldn’t believe they would drive nearly three hours just to make her mum smile.

​

Chris and Simone, together with Bambi, arrived at the McDonald household at night. As soon as they arrived at the front door, the family members led them to Phyllis’ room, much to her surprise.

The 82-year-old Bambi fan could not believe her eyes when a real-life Bambi entered her room. The fawn inched closer to Phyllis as she wrapped her frail arms around the gentle animal.

For hours, the McDonald family, together with Simone and Chris, simply watched Phyllis and Bambi spend their time at each other’s side.

When the time came for the Barn Buddies to say goodbye, Lisa was surprised that they were not asking for anything. “They wouldn’t take a cent, not even petrol money,” she said.

That night, snuggled down in her favourite purple satin sheets, her Bambi themed duvet and matching Bambi top, and still smiling from the once-in-a-lifetime encounter, Phyllis McDonald closed her eyes and never opened them again.

Credit: 7News.​

The McDonald family laid Phyllis to rest dressed in a Bambi T-shirt in a Bambi wrapped coffin. “Mum wanted to wear a Bambi T-shirt in her coffin, so that happened,” Lisa said.

Even her family and friends honoured her by also wearing the Disney deer shirts on the day. Simone and Chris also sent flowers, along with a card signed by them and Bambi.

According to Lisa, her family will never forget the amazing act of kindness Simone and Chris showed their mum on her last day.

She says that while there's so much sorrow and pain, it's important to remember there are also kind people out there.

Made me cry

 

[Julie1]

Phyllis raised 3 very caring, thoughtful and loving daughters.
I had tears in my eyes reading this lovely story.
Simone, Chris and Bambi made a dying woman very happy.