Faye W. Dunn, Girl Scouts executive

Faye Webb Dunn, 80, of Willingboro, a former Girl Scouts executive, died on Thursday, July 24, at Arcadia Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Hamilton, N.J., following a stroke.

Mrs. Dunn began her management career in 1979 as director of field services for the Burlington County Girl Scout Council and retired as its co-executive director in 1992.

She chose that career, a daughter, Mary Lynn Wells, said, because "she believed in their mission, to empower girls to be strong, contributing citizens."

Born in Shelby, N.C., Mrs. Dunn earned a bachelor's degree in premed studies in 1954 at Hampton (Va.) Institute after marrying in 1953.

She had intended a medical career, Wells said, "but she met my father and had five kids."

"She had been a volunteer with the Girl Scouts" before joining the Council staff, Wells said, "because she had four daughters."

Mrs. Dunn passed on the scouting instinct to her daughter.

"I'm also a lifetime member and worked for the council after she retired," Wells said. "I was director of outreach services from 1992 until 2008."

Before joining the scouting organization, Mrs. Dunn taught kindergarten in 1975 and 1976 for a public school in Trenton and worked for a field office of the U.S. Census Bureau in the 1970s.

A member of Columbus Baptist Church, she was a deaconess there and a member of its Deaconess Board for 10 years.

Besides her daughter Mary Lynn, Mrs. Dunn is survived by Robert, her husband of 60 years; son Roger, daughters Dora, Robbye Apperson, and Marjorie Wallace; a sister; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

A memorial service was set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Mount Laurel Home for Funerals, 212 Ark Rd. Interment is to be private.

Donations may be sent to Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey, 40 Brace Rd., Cherry Hill, N.J. 08034.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mountlaurelfuneralhome.com.