Laurie M. Hissey

Laurie McAvoy Hissey of West Chester, Pennsylvania passed away on January 9, 2025 after a nearly decade-long battle with cancer. She was 64 years old. Born in Phoenixville, PA, she was the daughter of Thomas Bell McAvoy, III and Lucie Bel Barnes McAvoy. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, David Scott Hissey, and four children: David McAvoy Hissey (Ali), Matthew McCallum Hissey (Johnny), Peter McLeod Hissey (Grace), and Ryan Scott Hissey (Lizzie). In addition to her four children, she is survived by eight grandchildren: Cathryn, Caroline, David, Anna, Charlie, Elena, Beau, and James; and her siblings, Lisa DiLullo (Peter), Sue McAvoy (Bill), Tim McAvoy (Nancy), and Jim McAvoy (Karen).

After graduating from Phoenixville High School, she enrolled at the College of William & Mary and graduated in 1982 with a degree in history. She played intercollegiate field hockey and lacrosse, was a sister of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, served on the President’s Council, and worked as a tour guide at Colonial Williamsburg. Shortly after graduation, she was married, moved to West Chester, PA and with Dave, raised their four boys.

For several years, she worked for the West Chester-based Pepsi Bottling Company before following the McAvoy tradition of playing and teaching platform tennis. She began teaching with her mother, Lucie Bel McAvoy, and playing regional and national tournaments. For years, she was one of the top players in the Philadelphia area, culminating in two national doubles titles with her brother, Tim. In 2012, she completed her decades-long mission to bring platform tennis to Radley Run Country Club. She built a thriving adult and junior program, was beloved by the community, and was affectionately known as “Coach Laurie.” At the time of her passing, she remained the Director of Platform Tennis at Radley Run. For her lifetime efforts, Laurie was set to receive the National Service Award from the American Platform Tennis Association (APTA) in March 2025.

Laurie loved traveling to visit her boys. She traveled across the country to watch her sons play baseball and adventured to Colorado and the American Southwest, Williamsburg, Ecuador, Ireland, Italy and France.

Her competitive nature was on display when she became an Adirondack 46er in 2022. This 46-peak challenge took over 40 years to complete and required the companionship and support of Dave and the boys.

What made Laurie happiest was her time with family and friends. She loved playing cards, family ping pong battles, baking, gardening, hiking, raising Labrador Retrievers, the Adirondack Mountains and Longwood Gardens, to name a few. Her love for her family and friends extended to the community as well, where she started The Run for Brianne and worked tirelessly to support SHINE.

Laurie saw the best in people and lived life with an unflinching smile and positive attitude. Though we feel her absence deeply, we know her kindness, energy, competitiveness, positivity, passion, grit, and joy will forever be a part of us.

Laurie will be missed, but we know that she is wrapped in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, eternally happy, smiling and glorified in Heaven.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00PM on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Willowdale Chapel, 675 Unionville Road, Kennett Square.  Visitation with the family and light refreshments will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family is working on creating a scholarship in Laurie’s honor, which will be communicated via CaringBridge

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