Ex-WNBA Star Sophie Brunner's Mother Killed at 61 – Details

The former athlete's mother left a lasting mark on the many lives she touched through her social work and will be missed by far more than just her close family.

Darcy Connolly-Brunner, the mother of former WNBA and Arizona State basketball standout Sophie Brunner, died at the age of 61 in a head-on collision in Stephenson County, Illinois.

The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) reported that the crash occurred on the afternoon of August 9, 2025, along Illinois Route 26 North near Oneco Road in rural Orangeville.

Preliminary findings indicate that a Nissan Altima driven by 30-year-old Rolando Ico-Choc, a Guatemalan national living in Freeport, was traveling southbound when it crossed into the northbound lane.

The vehicle struck a Ford Edge driven by Connolly-Brunner head-on. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene, and no other passengers were involved. Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) stated that Ico-Choc was in the US illegally and had a history of multiple DUI offenses.

Additionally, Representative John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) noted, "A life was taken by someone who shouldn't have been here."

The county sheriff's office also shared, "As part of the investigation, deputies are examining whether alcohol impairment by Mr. Ico-Choc may have been a contributing factor in the crash. There is no indication that Ms. Connolly-Brunner was impaired."

Toxicology testing was conducted during autopsies on August 12, but the results are expected to take several weeks. The Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit is assisting in the investigation.

SCSO expressed gratitude to the Orangeville Fire Department, Winslow Fire Department, Cedarville Fire Protection District, Leamon's Ambulance Service, the Stephenson County Coroner's Office, and the Illinois State Police for their assistance at the crash scene.

Connolly-Brunner was a mother of four and well-known in the Freeport community. Her death has deeply affected friends, neighbors, and local officials. SCSO Sheriff Steven Stovall described her as someone who meant more to the community than just her role within it. "Her passing has left a hole in the hearts of those who knew her, including myself, and members of my family," said Stovall.

Her daughter, Sophie Brunner, gained recognition as one of the top high school basketball players in the Freeport-Rockford region. She led Aquin High School to consecutive state championships in her junior and senior years before committing to Arizona State University.

During her college career, the 6-foot-1 forward earned First Team All-PAC-12 honors three times between 2015 and 2017. She also guided the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament each year.

Although she went undrafted in 2017, Brunner signed with the Phoenix Mercury and later joined the then-San Antonio Stars. She also represented Team USA at the 2015 Pan American Games, winning a silver medal.

Her professional basketball career extended overseas in Italy, and she later transitioned into coaching at Rockford Christian Schools. Brunner had also recently married her husband, Unkie Bruder, in July, only to lose her mother just a few weeks later.

Brunner's mother, who was born on August 27, 1963, in Manchester, Iowa, was a 1981 graduate of Maquoketa Valley High School. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Dubuque in 1985, where she was an active member of Delta Phi Sigma Sorority.

Dedicated to helping others, she worked in social services throughout her life, including at Rosecrance, Rockford Memorial Hospital, and the Monroe Clinic, before opening her own practice, Counseling for Change, in Freeport.

Connolly-Brunner, who was preceded in death by her parents John and Shirlain Connolly, met her husband Thomas Brunner at a Halloween dance in Stockton, Illinois. The two went on to share 38 years of marriage, during which he remained her steadfast partner and greatest supporter.

They had four children — Ellen, Sophie, Gabrielle, and Heath — whom Connolly-Brunner considered her greatest treasures. She never missed a milestone or celebration, always present to support them in every endeavor.

Outside work, Connolly-Brunner found joy in snowmobiling with her husband, sharing adventures with Ellen, singing with Sophie, bonding over humor with Gabrielle, and laughing with Heath over music.

Her beloved dog Tucker was her constant companion as the kids grew older. Family, including her siblings, was at the heart of her life, and she loved planning adventures and creating special moments for others.

Now, friends and loved ones of Connolly-Brunner, including Colleen Finn-Henze, remember how she always supported her children. "She was probably not the one that knew everything about sports but because her daughter, daughters and her son were so good at them, then she went along for the ride," said Finn-Henze.

She added that Connolly-Brunner was truly one of a kind, a description she believed was entirely fitting. Finn-Henze, who first met the deceased at age 16, recalled being struck by her outgoing nature and lively personality.

She noted, "She's hilariously funny. She was compassionate, a great mother, a great wife, a great friend, would do another for you, would do anything for her clients."

Finn-Henze and Connolly-Brunner's bond deepened after she got married and moved to the area. This shift resulted in more than four decades of friendship shared not only between the two women but also between their families.

Finn-Henze remembered her as someone who left a lasting impression on everyone she met, with her bright personality that helped her forge connections easily.

The news of Connolly-Brunner's passing on Saturday hit Finn-Henze during her birthday gathering. Her husband delivered the news after learning about it from their children. She described the loss as devastating and difficult to comprehend.

Now, Finn-Henze is glad that she and their families had spent time together less than 24 hours before her friend died. "I'm grateful, yes because we saw her at breakfast, at the record store, and at my house that night so yeah, I saw her several times that day," she revealed.

Finn-Henze remains hopeful that, in time, the current sadness will gradually give way to the joyful memories and moments they shared.

What now remains is Connolly-Brunner's legacy, which, as per her eulogy, will live on through her children, family, and all who knew her. She will be remembered for her fun-loving personality, vibrant spirit, kind heart, remarkable strength, and unforgettable, cheeky sense of humor.

In her honor, loved ones are encouraged to pause, appreciate life's beauty, and add a touch of it to their surroundings.