Molly Langer Gutcher's Obituary
Molly Langer Gutcher left this world on May 1st, surrounded by her family. The world lost a remarkable woman whose strength, courage, love, and devotion to her family will never be matched. Molly was born on August 21, 1969, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Robert and Nancy Langer.
Molly spent her early childhood on Little Rock Air Force Base, where she shared laughter, games, and simple adventures with the neighborhood kids. At the age of five, her family moved to Lexington, Massachusetts, where Molly built friendships that lasted well into adulthood. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1987. As a teenager, she was active in her church’s youth programs and spent a week each summer on Star Island, off the coast of New Hampshire.
Molly attended Union College in Schenectady, New York, earning her B.S. in Political Science before receiving her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 1995. Soon after, she moved to Tampa, passed the Florida Bar, and began the work that would define her life: standing up for children who needed a voice.
She poured her heart into the Florida Department of Children & Families, later becoming Program Director for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program. She also became a Big Sister through Big Brothers/Big Sisters, forming a bond she treasured.
Her career continued to rise as she served as Senior Deputy Court Administrator/Drug Court Coordinator, Director of Operations and Legal Affairs, and COO/Senior Vice President at Hillsborough Kids, Inc. In 2005, she entered private practice, dedicating herself to adoptions, child custody, guardianship, and creating forever families. She was among the first attorneys to become a parenting coordination mediator—always guided by her belief that every child deserved safety, stability, and love.
Molly was active in several Gasparilla Krewes, including the Krewe of Hillsborough and the Krewe of Zingaro, where she met her husband, Dave Gutcher. They were married with their toes in the sand in 2005, beginning a life filled with adventure, laughter, and unwavering devotion.
From the moment she became a mother, Molly poured joy into every corner of her boys’ lives. She loved taking them to theme parks, racing with them toward the biggest roller coasters, hands in the air, laughing through every twist and drop. Those moments—pure joy, pure togetherness—were the heartbeat of her motherhood.
Her adventurous spirit carried their family across the world. She and Dave visited Hawaii, England, and France, and later, with her boys beside them, they explored Alaska, Southeast Asia, Mexico, multiple Caribbean islands, and countless destinations across the United States and Canada. But one place held her heart above all others: Nantucket. Its quiet beauty, its beaches, its rhythm — this was her sanctuary, the place she returned to year after year as an adult.
In 2014, Molly was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She faced this challenge with extraordinary courage, grace, and determination. She became deeply involved in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) through the Michael J. Fox Foundation, joining the study immediately. She donated her time, her spinal fluid, and her energy to help advance research, hoping her efforts would one day end this disease. Her participation contributed to the development of the first biomarker for Parkinson’s.
Even in death, Molly continues her fight—she donated her brain to PPMI so that others might one day live free of this illness. She was also active with Rock Steady Boxing at the JCC and with PDLife in Tampa, finding strength, community, and purpose in the fight.
Molly is preceded in death by her father, Robert Langer. She is survived by her husband, Dave Gutcher, and their two sons, John (18) and Lucas (16), who were the center of her world. She is also survived by her mother, Nancy Provost, and stepfather, David Provost; her stepmother, Carol Langer; her brothers, Todd Langer and Kurt Langer, and Kurt’s wife, Mio Murakami; her brothers-in-law Mark Gutcher and Allan Gutcher, and Allan’s wife, Carol Gutcher; and her nieces and nephews Danny Gutcher, Carley Gutcher, Chase Langer, Nathan Langer, and Kailash Langer.
A Celebration of Life will on July 11, 2026 at the Tampa Woman's Club located at 2901 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or PDLife Tampa, or consider joining the fight by volunteering for the PPMI study—participation is open to individuals both with and without Parkinson’s.
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