Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, she was the daughter of George and Annie Parkin.

In 1914, she was appointed head of the women's students hostel at the University of Toronto.

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 Montreal-based Beaver Club.

Due to Alice's death, Lionel Massey's wife Lilias served as chatelaine of Rideau Hall.

Massey died in Port Hope, Ontario on 29 July 1950, aged 71.