Obituary of Martha W. Gutchess

Martha Wood Gutchess, born on September 5, 1926, died peacefully in Boca Raton FL on December 31, 2016. She was the only child of Harry E. Wood and Madalen D. Wood of Oswego NY. She was a trained vocalist who loved classical opera, hymns, piano and cooking. She was a resident of Cortland from the time of her marriage in 1947 to Homer Clair Gutchess until the couple retired to South Florida in 1991. During those years in Cortland she was active in Cortland Wood Products, Inc. (a predecessor to Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc. on McLean Road), Grace Episcopal Church and various social and charitable organizations. Martha is survived by her son Gary (Kimberley) Gutchess, her grandsons Matthew (Lona) Gutchess of Ithaca and Daniel (Jessica) Gutchess of Newton MA, a great grandson Ben and a great granddaughter Anna. And another great granddaughter is expected! Martha's calling hours are planned for 3-4:45 pm with a funeral service to begin 5 pm on Thursday January 12 at Wright-Beard Funeral Home in Cortland. A commemorative ceremony and burial at Cortland Rural Cemetery are planned for April after the reopening of Grace and Holy Spirit Church in Cortland. The church was damaged by fire in 2016. To offer online condolences visit www.wright-beard.com