South Carolina newspaperChronicle-Independentfirst reported the news.

She’d go on to join TIME magazine as a picture researcher before finding herself at PEOPLE.

Her role as photo editor was “crucial” to the magazine’s success.

Mary Dunn People editor dies

Mary Dunn.

Dunn is survived by her husband, daughter, and two sisters.

people magazine sexiest man alive covers from 1980s

The 1985 and 1986 issues of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive featuring Mel Gibson and Mark Harmon.PEOPLE