Alice Massey
Encyclopedia
Alice Parkin Massey was a Canadian
philanthropist and the wife of Vincent Massey
, who became Governor General of Canada
shortly after Alice Massey's death.
Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick
, she was the daughter of George
and Annie Parkin. She was educated in Canada
, England
and Switzerland
. In 1914, she was appointed head of the women's students hostel at the University of Toronto
. She married Vincent Massey the following year.
During Vincent Massey's term as High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, Alice became involved in organizations to assist Canadian service personnel in England during World War II
, including a medical hospice for injured Canadian servicemen, the Canadian Officers' Club and the Beaver Club. Alice Massey also served as a member of the St. John Ambulance Briagde throughout World War II, and would maintain her connection with St. John Ambulance until her death.
Alice and Vincent Massey had two children, Lionel and Hart. Due to Alice's death, Lionel Massey's wife Lilias
served as Chatelaine of Rideau Hall
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
philanthropist and the wife of Vincent Massey
Vincent Massey
Charles Vincent Massey was a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who served as Governor General of Canada, the 18th since Canadian Confederation....
, who became Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
shortly after Alice Massey's death.
Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, she was the daughter of George
George Robert Parkin
Sir George Robert Parkin KCMG was a Canadian educator, imperialist, and author.Born at Parkindale near Salisbury, New Brunswick, he was a graduate from the University of New Brunswick. From 1867 to 1871, he taught at the Bathurst Grammar School...
and Annie Parkin. She was educated in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. In 1914, she was appointed head of the women's students hostel at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. She married Vincent Massey the following year.
During Vincent Massey's term as High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, Alice became involved in organizations to assist Canadian service personnel in England during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, including a medical hospice for injured Canadian servicemen, the Canadian Officers' Club and the Beaver Club. Alice Massey also served as a member of the St. John Ambulance Briagde throughout World War II, and would maintain her connection with St. John Ambulance until her death.
Alice and Vincent Massey had two children, Lionel and Hart. Due to Alice's death, Lionel Massey's wife Lilias
Lilias Massey
Lilias Massey served as Chatelaine of Rideau Hall during her father-in-law Vincent Massey's term as Governor General of Canada.Vincent Massey was a widower whose wife Alice died 18 months before his appointment as Governor General...
served as Chatelaine of Rideau Hall
Viceregal consort of Canada
The viceregal consort of Canada is the spouse of the serving governor general of Canada, assisting the viceroy with ceremonial and charitable work, accompanying him or her to official state occasions, and occasionally undertaking philanthropic work of their own...
.
External links
- Massey family fonds at Library and Archives CanadaLibrary and Archives CanadaLibrary and Archives Canada is a national memory institution dedicated to providing the best possible account of Canadian life through acquiring, preserving and making Canada's documentary heritage accessible for use in the 21st century and beyond...