Article written by Emily Landgreen for Heritage Conservancy posted 10 August 2026
We’re deeply saddened to share that Marv Woodall, Heritage Conservancy’s Chairman Emeritus, has passed away.
Marv joined Heritage Conservancy’s Board of Directors in 1993 and served the organization for twenty-five years, including three years as Chairman. He led Heritage Conservancy through a period of significant transition, helping position the organization for the strength and success it enjoys today.
In 2021, the Board recognized his extraordinary service by naming him Chairman Emeritus. In response, Marv wrote, “I shall always cherish the years of learning about the vital impact of this organization on our quality of life here in Bucks County and elsewhere in this region.”
“Marv is on a very short list of the people who have had the biggest impact on Heritage Conservancy, our mission, and our success – both as a strategic leader and as a truly generous donor,” shares Bill Kunze, Heritage Conservancy President and CEO. “We have lost a great friend.”
Current Board Member and Former Chairman of the Board Chris Chandor, who succeeded Marv, added: “Marv came in at exactly the moment Heritage Conservancy needed him, when we were working to get back on our feet economically and structurally. He was the right person to lead that rebuilding, working closely with Linda and Jeff to put us on solid ground again. I followed Marv as Chairman, and the strong groundwork he built gave me the freedom to focus on moving new projects forward instead of rebuilding the foundation of the organization.”
While Marv’s leadership and vision helped shape Heritage Conservancy’s future, those who knew him remember far more than his accomplishments. He was a constant presence in the office, often spending several days each week meeting with staff, encouraging their great work. He believed deeply in the people behind the mission and made time to know them personally.
Katie Paone-Kulp, Director of Development, shared, “I am honored to have had such a unique experience to have worked under Marv’s Chairmanship, starting as an intern and growing into my first position at Heritage Conservancy in 2012. Marv had a way of inspiring me, and others, to put the hard work in and be the best versions of ourselves. With quiet encouragement and a wink at the end of the conversation that told you ‘get to it’, he made you know he believed in you – and you certainly didn’t want to let him down, so you got to it.”
His dedication to Heritage Conservancy, and to the preservation of this great region, leaves a lasting legacy. We are deeply grateful for the countless hours, wisdom, and heart he gave to this organization and to the community he loved.
Marv will be deeply missed, and his influence will continue to be felt through the people, places, and mission he helped strengthen for generations to come.
Obituaries
Marvin Leonard Woodall | Reed & Steinbach Funeral Home
Bucks County philanthropist, Herald Foundation board member Marv Woodall dies
Marvin ‘Marv’ Woodall, Cardiovascular Catalyst, Dies at 88
Marvin Woodall Died at 88, and His Service Is Set for Aug. 11 on East Court Street