Alyne Massey, philanthropist and long-time member of the board of trustees of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, has died after a brief illness. She was 85 years old.
Massey was elected to the Vanderbilt board in 1977 and served until 2003 when she was named trustee emerita. The library at Vanderbilt Law School is named in her honor.
Massey was a native of New Haven, Connecticut, but grew up in Columbia, Tennessee. In 1948, she earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Vanderbilt. She then became a reporter for the Nashville Banner.
Massey was the widow of Jack Massey, who was a co-founder of Hospital Corporation of American and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
“Through her devoted leadership and keen philanthropic vision, Alyne brought joy and hope to many,” said Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos. “I will be eternally grateful for her deep love of Vanderbilt and for the myriad ways she empowered the university and lifted up our wider community.”