Marie Wood Fleischer, a longtime resident of Utica, died suddenly in a tragic overnight fire, Tuesday, April 1, 2008 on Whitesboro Street. She was born October 30, 1932, on her parents' dairy farm in Maryland, Otsego County, and was a graduate of the Milford School System. Marie loved her family, had a fondness for animals, particularly cats, dogs and birds, and treasured her memories of time spent in Japan in the mid-1950s as a military wife. Survivors include her daughter, Jana Gillett and her husband, Michael of Stittville; her son, Brian Nearing and his wife, Carol of Rensselaer; her son Timothy Nearing of Lafayette, LA; her brother, Hilton Wood and his wife, Ann of Maryland; her sister, Doris Oliver and her husband, Leland of Oneonta; her grandchildren, Michael and James Gillett and Sarah and Scott Nearing; and her longtime companion, Arthur Kelsey. Daughter of the late Walter and Alta Wood, Marie was predeceased by her husband, James Thomas Fleischer; and her sisters, Myrtle Eldred and Dorothy Carley. Services will be Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Bentz & Amodio Funeral Service, Inc., 470 French Road, Utica/New Hartford, with The Rev. William Dodge officiating. Calling hours are Saturday from 12-2, prior to the service. Interment will be in Kirkland Cemetery.