Dolly Parton’s appearances as ‘Aunt Dolly’ in Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana introduced her to many younger viewers, supplementing an already celebrated career in country music. The article reflects on that connection following Parton’s reported death at 80, and on the tributes and nostalgia it prompted among fans and the Cyrus family.

Parton appeared in three episodes between 2006 and the show’s final season, including the first-season episode ‘Good Golly, Miss Dolly’ and a later storyline in which she helps protect Miley from paparazzi. Miley Cyrus, Parton’s real-life goddaughter, said she wanted to make her proud; Parton had previously said the series brought her a new generation of fans who continued to follow her.