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Capt. Alexander Hacket
(1822-1895)
Elizabeth Cameron
(1825-1903)
Benjamin Fleet Chapman
(1842-)
Mary MacDonald
(Abt 1839-1870)
Alfred Alexander Hackett Jr.
(1861-1939)
Alice Maud Mary Chapman
(1868-1949)

Aileen Alexandria Hackett
(1897-1977)

 

Family Links

Spouses/Children:
1. Dr. Frank Hamilton Fish Sr, MD, CM

Aileen Alexandria Hackett

  • Born: 21 Dec 1897, Wiarton, Bruce, Ontario, Canada 2
  • Marriage (1): Dr. Frank Hamilton Fish Sr, MD, CM on 28 Dec 1921 in Calgary, , Alberta, Canada 1
  • Crem.: 7 Mar 1977, Calgary, , Alberta, Canada 3
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bullet  Research Notes:

Aileen Alexandra Hackett. Married Dr. Frank Fish in 1921. They lived in Magrath, Taber and Medicine Hat before moving to Calgary, Alberta. Mrs. Fish graduated from Camrose teacher's college in 1916 and McGill university in 1921; taught in Calgary high schools; was medical librarian for the Calgary Associate clinic for seven years and in 1960 was appointed advisor to women students, University of Calgary. She was invested as a member of the Order of Canada in 1973.

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bullet  Noted events in her life were:

• Census: 1901 Canadian: Wiarton, Bruce, Ontario, Canada. 4

• Census: 1911 Canadian: Winnipeg, , Manitoba, Canada. 5

• Census: 1916 Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta Canadian: Battle River, , Alberta, Canada. 6

• Census: 1921 Canadian: Jacques-Cartier, , Québec, Canada. 7

• Article: The Albertan: Calgary, , Alberta, Canada. 8

One Of The Busiest Women In Calgary Is A Sparkling Little Grandmother
By LINDA CURTIS

Mrs. Frank Fish, a diminutive dynamo of energy with alert blue eyes and short blue-gray hair, is many things to many Calgarians.
To lovers of Shakespeare she's the one-in-a-million who can make works of the famous bard come alie for them …. "lifting the characters right off the page."
TO THE HUNDREDS of girls who have belongs to the Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Calgary since 1938, she's the soft-voiced counselor who has been ready to help and advise them in almost any problem from hairstyles to heart throbs.
To several doctors in town, she's the efficient and intelligent little woman who used to tend the medical library at the Calgary Associate Clinic and who can write a speech for them on short notice.
To the program conveners of countless women's clubs she's the answer to a prayer, for she can speak entertainingly and intelligently on a topic suitable to almost any occasion.
To her tall, quiet husband, Dr. Frank Fish, she's the one for whom the phone is always ringing at home.
TO THOSE who tune in, the "State Your Case" panel broadcast she's one who can always be counted on to give a frank answer that smacks of good sense.
Mrs. Fish describes herself as a "patchwork quilt without much pattern."
"My life gets clogged up with people," she explained as she curried her small self up in an easy chair during an interview at her home this week.
"I seem to get into every dashed thing, but I'm much happier working than I would be doing nothing. I've had a wonderful life and a happy marriage, although I'm sure Dr. Fish is the only man who could have put up with me all these years!"
THERE was a pause while she answered the telephone.
"They want me to judge speeches at the Toastmistress Club," she said, returning to her cozy perch. "Really, I'm no authority on speeches. I probably make every mistake in the book, even though I do make a lot of speeches around town. As I recall, last year between January and May I filled 40 speaking engagements.
"I've talked on every mortal thing from the works of A.A. Milne to 'Don't let Moods Spoil your Marriage'. But Shakespeare is my favorite topic. I think everyone has some escape from reality and his books are mine."
MRS. FISH was introduced to Shakespeare at the observant age of six months when her father read the goriest plays aloud to her as she sat on his knee. Her mother would say: Are you crazy? The child's just a baby!"
To which father would retort with al the logic in the world, "Well we can't have her grow up stupid!"
"I can remember watching my father shaving with one of those wicked long razors, quoting from Richard III …, the most bloodthirsty parts of course," recalled Mrs. Fish.
For three years Mrs. Fish taught Shakespeare at a class at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She also got a chance to teach his plays when she was a Calgary high school supply teacher in the early 1930's, just after Dr. Fish and his family moved here from Medicine Hat.
"THAT WAS a thrilling experience. I was a substitute teacher, mostly for English, French and social studies. I think I got to know every high school student in the city. I run into some of them almost every day and some have become my dearest friends.
Teaching was the profession for which Mrs. Fish trained. Born in Wiarton, Ontario, her family moved to Winnipeg in 190 where she attended high school and the University of Manitoba. She took her normal school course at Camrose and taught in rural schools in Alberta. Then she went to McGill University, graduating in 1921.
"But I met Dr. Fish at varsity and we got married the year I graduated." she said. "Dr. Fish opened a practise in Macgrath. From there we want to Medicine Hat for five years and finally came to Calgary where we have lived ever since."
ALMOST at once she joined the Literary Club, one of the oldest clubs in Calgary. And in 1938 she and Mrs. Selby Walker were named director and sponsor, respectively, of Beta Sigma Phi. Last year Mrs. Fish became the first and only woman in Alberta to be named an International Honorary Member of the sorority. Calgarians who attend the spring fashion show of Beta Sigma Phi will know Mrs. Fish as "the voice" that swings and sways down the platforms with the models.
Because of her gracious manner and flair for wearing clothes and talking well, Mrs. Fish was also asked to conduct a personality course at Garbutt's Business College, a post she held for three years. "I think I learned more than the students did. I enjoyed it immensely," she enthused.
During the war Dr. Fish went overseas with the 8th Field Ambulance and Mrs. Fish took over the medical library at Calgary Associate Clinic "for six months." The months stretched on and on until she had been there more than seven years.
"I gave it up in 1951 to be a housewife and stay at home, but now I'm seldom home."
It is easy to see why:
Mrs. Fish is a member of the Y.W.C.A board of directors; a member of the women's committee at the Coste House; the Calgary branch of the Humanities Association; the executive of the Woman's Canadian Club; the Alberta Mental Health Association; the Literary Club; Beta Sigma Phi sorority; and a panel member of "State Your Case".
In their "leisure" time she and Dr. Fish are putting the finishing touches to their comfortable home which they "built in their old age." They actually have much more space and they need but they have prepared for the visits of their two sons and daughter and their grandchildren.
THEIR ELDEST son, Frank, is a physicist in defence research at Suffield; their daughter Barbara is Mrs. John Mayhood and also lives at Suffield, where her husband is a physicist, and their youngest son, Larry, expects to graduate this year in medicine from the University of Alberta.
After 33 years of married life, three children and four grandchildren; Mrs. Fish feels that love, a community of interests, a sense of humor and an honest give and take are the basic ingredients for a happy home.
"I think mothers of young children should not work unless they absolutely have to. But women can also get too wrapped up in the home and neglect themselves. They owe it to themselves, and their families to keep a lively interest in the world around them and to be able to talk intelligently about more than dresses, dishes and diapers."

• Article: The Albertan, 21 Apr 1972, Calgary, , Alberta, Canada. 9

Eavesdrop ... with Eva Reid

My choice for the Calgary Woman of the Decades is Mrs. Frank S. Fish, 330 - 19th Ave. S.W.
Four of the seven decades (with four year spillover into the eighth) in which she has lived, have been spent in Calgary, and each has been filled with contributions in which she has given much, very much of herself. Mrs. Fish, born Aileen Alexandra Hackett, is an atomic personality, all four feet nine and three-quarter inches of her and is a familiar figure about town.
Her ability to give of herself to her fellowmen; her influence on young lives and on new Canadians, may have had is origin in a huge billboard sign in Victoria, B.C. which read: "I'll prepare myself - My chance will come." That sign made a profound impression on the young girl who carried a first class teaching certificate from the teachers' training school in Camrose, Alberta.
Born in Bruce County, Wiarton, Ont., of Presbyterian and Methodist parents she moved with her family to Winnipeg in 1910. Here Aileen went to high school and to the United College, now University of Winnipeg. After two years she went to Camrose to take four months teacher training.
That was in 1916 and among the students was Wes Irwin who was to become a noted Canadian Artist. The principal was Dr. Fred McNally who became one of Alberta's best known educators prior to his death a few years ago.
Mrs. Fish laughingly recalls that upon graduation she went to Barr Colony (near Lloydminster) to teach and not having been on a farm before she did not know the difference between a turkey and a chicken.
Returning to Winnipeg and to university - she thought - it was time for the Hacketts to move again. Victoria was the next stop and here the young Aileen taught in a pre-vocational school and among her pupils was a Kaye Fewkes, now the wife of a former alderman and successful businessman, Mr. Kennett Lyle.
The billboard sign haunted here. She studied all her spare time, at night took typing, and did much reading and research.
Her father, a head of a foundation (Wooden Ship Building) was obliged to make yet another move and this was to Montreal. Here Aileen Alexandra entered McGill University and graduated with honors in English and history. It was on this campus too that a medical student paid much attention to the pretty little lass which such high scholastic standing. He was from the West and Aileen did not discourage the overtures. So it was in her final year she and Dr. Fish became engaged.
After the confetti was cleared away the happy couple, who, in December 1971 celebrated their golden anniversary, began their life in Magrath, Alta. The bridgroom was a general practitioner and from this area went to Taber and from Taber to Medicine Hat.
The years were busy ones for a mother of three children - Frank Jr., a research scientist in Boston, Mass.; a daughter Mrs. John (Barbara) Mayhood, Kingston, Ont. and a son, Dr. Laurence (Larry) Fish, Calgary - she had little time for club work.
However, it was while she was in the Gas City Mrs. Fish began some of her activities which were to increase as the children grew. Here she became the first president of the University Women's Club.
The next move was Calgary and the year 1930. Her contributions to the cultural community began to flow in all directions and have not yet ceased. She is still an active member of Wesley United Church where she worked closely in her first decade here with the noted author, lecturer and MLA Nellie McClung.
An authority on Shakespeare, Aileen has given hundreds of lectures to clubs and students and is still in demand as a speaker. I understand she will be addressing the Local Council of Women April 26 and the Telephone Pioneers, May 13.
Her subjects range from charm, good manners to politics (she is a Conservative) and history. In fact she has done much research on the history of southern Alberta and in this connection has been most helpful to students, frequently going to classes to lecture.
Mrs. Fish was the first woman adviser to the female student body at the University of Calgary and held this post for three years. "These years" said Aileen were rich and meaningful experience. It was also satisfying t take to the new faculty wives and tell them of Calgary and its history …" she said.
For 15 years this handsome, style-conscious and well groomed little lady lectured to the student nurses at Holy Cross hospital on nurse-patient relationships; she has conducted personality courses at Garbutts Business College and particularly for Beta Sigma Phi; she did substitute teaching in English and drama for Dr. Betty Mitchell and for seven years ran the library at the Calgary Associate Clinic.
Mrs. Fish was president of the Calgary Women's Canadian Club; president of the Literary Club (the oldest continuing club in the city) and Mount Royal Educational Club and is active in several book clubs.
Her work with new Canadians would fill another column and once did, I recall. She taught for the school board and had classes embracing 15 nationalities. Many, many of her students still keep in touch with her, and often entertain Aileen and he husband to dinners serving foods of their native lands.
Mrs. Fish will also be remembered for years of service on the Advisory Board to the National Library of which she was Alberta representative.
Perhaps the highlights of the seven decades - plus - was te year she and Dr. Fish spent abroad, Aileen described it as annus mirabills - "wonderful year."
Anyone care to disagree with my choice The Woman of the Decades? Truly she prepared herself and her chances came.

• Article: The Albertan, 29 Oct 1973, Calgary, , Alberta, Canada. 10

Eavesdrop ... with Eva Reid


Mrs. F. H. (Aileen Alexandra) Fish, Calgary, was among scores of distinguished Canadians Wednesday at Government House in Ottawa when she was invested as a member of the Order of Canada by Governor-General Roland Michener. Witnessing the impressive ceremony in which 54 were invested (in three categories) was he husband Dr. Frank Fish.
"All went off beautifully and the day as perfect" Mrs. Fish said in a long-distance telephone call to her sister-in-law, Mrs. E. N. Bowman here. The honor was enhanced by Dr. and Mrs. Fish's family gathering in the nation's capital to celebrate Mother's recognition of achievement in community services.
Mr. Frank Fish, Jr. and his wife Vera flew into Ottawa from Boston landing one-half hour before the Calgarians and awaited their arrival along with Fishes' son-in-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. John (Barbara) Mayhood of Ottawa and their son and daughter-in-law Dr, J. L. Fish and Mrs. Fish of Calgary. The couple was also joined by their sister-in-law, Mrs. Kenneth (Edith) Hackett from Quebec and grand-daughter, Mrs. Lionel Clarke and Mr. Clark from Toronto.
Following the investiture at 5 p.m. there was a reception and dinner at government house at which Calgary's ace citizen wore a formal black and white velvet toe-length gown.
Now Dr. and Mrs. Fish are enjoying a family reunion in a gay round of parties which started at the Mayhoods. This revelry is expected to continue for 10 days.
When Mrs. Fish was appointed MOC in June 1973, the resume of her background began with her birth in Wiarton, Ont., detailed her education which was climaxed at McGill University where you Aileen Hackett graduated (1921) with first class honors in history and English. She taught in Calgary high schools and tutored students, and instructed in a business college.
Mrs. Fish was medical librarian for the Calgary Association Clinic for seven years and in 1960 was appointed advisor to women students, University of Calgary. During all these years she did more than her quota in services to her fellowmen.
Hundreds of New Canadians will remember Aileen Fish always; she taught them English. They expressed their gratitude by heaping gifts from their respective lands upon their beloved teacher.
Her club interests were varied and included service to the Local Council of Women; Women's Conservative Association; Women's Literary Club; Women's Canadian Club and national executive; Alberta representative to Advisory Board of National Library of Canada from 1958 to 1964; first director in Alberta of Beta Sigma Phi; YWCA; City of Calgary Development Appeal board and Central Planning Board, to name her major contributions.
I am sure there is not one in Calgary who has addressed more clubs and societies, church groups and so on than Aileen whose love and knowledge of history makes her a sought after speaker.
Literally thousands of Albertans (and in other provinces across the nation) will be interested and happy to learn that this little lady scarcely five feet tall has been so honored.

• Article: 200 Remarkable Alberta Women: Calgary, , Alberta, Canada. 11

Aileen Hackett Fish, C.M. 1898-1977

Appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 1973 for her outstanding community service for more than 30 years, Aileen Hackett Fish was one of Calgary's most active women in civic and community affairs.

With a degree in honours English and history from McGill University, Aileen taught school in Lloydminster and Calgary before marrying Dr. Frank Fish in 1921. As their three children grew up, she took on more and more volunteer activities outside the home: Home and School, the Young Women's Christian Association, the City of Calgary Development Appeal Board, the Advisory Board of the National Library of Canada, the Council of Women, Beta Sigma Phi, the Women's Canadian Club, and the Women's Conservative Association.
Aileen also taught business deportment for a local business school, taught English for New Canadians through the Calgary School Board, and served as advisor to women students at the University of Calgary (U of C). A popular speaker, she often delivered humor and history to audiences. In 1976, she received an honourary degree from the U of C.


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Aileen married Dr. Frank Hamilton Fish Sr, MD, CM, son of James Isherwood Fish and Mary Duckworth, on 28 Dec 1921 in Calgary, , Alberta, Canada.1 (Dr. Frank Hamilton Fish Sr, MD, CM was born on 21 Jul 1897 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom 12 and was cremated on 24 Dec 1975 in Calgary, , Alberta, Canada 13.)


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Sources


1 <i>The Calgary Daily Herald</i>, January 3, 1922 Page 14.

2 <i>Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1913</i> (Ancestry.com. Ontario, Canada Births, 1858-1913 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.),

Name: Alexandria Aileen Hackett
Date of Birth: 21 Dec 1897
Gender: Female
Birth County: Bruce
Father's Name: Alfred Alexander Hackett
Mother's Name: Alice Maud Chapman
Roll Number: MS929_137.

3 <i>Alberta, Calgary Crematorium Records, 1951-1979</i> (http://www.afhs.ab.ca/data/crematorium/index.html),

Reg. No.: 10937
Name: Fish, Aileen Alexandra
Cremation Date: 07 Mar 1977
Funeral Home: Jacques F. Home, Calgary
Cemetery: Columbarium W-T-2.

4 <i>1901 Census of Canada</i> (Ancestry.com. 1901 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.).

5 <i>1911 Census of Canada</i> (Ancestry.com. 1911 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.).

6 "1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta," database, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (http://www.ancestry.com/).

7 "1921 Census of Canada," database, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (http://www.ancestry.com/).

8 <i>The Albertan</i>.

9 <i>The Albertan</i>, 21 Apr 1972.

10 <i>The Albertan</i>, Page 6.

11 Kay Sanderson, <i>200 Remarkable Alberta Women </i> (Calgary, Alberta: Famous 5 Foundation, 21 Sep 1999), 61.

12 "England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915," database, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (http://www.ancestry.com/);

Name: Frank Fish
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1897
Registration District: Blackburn
Inferred County: Lancashire
Volume: 8e
Page: 483

13 <i>Alberta, Calgary Crematorium Records, 1951-1979</i> (http://www.afhs.ab.ca/data/crematorium/index.html),

Reg. No.: 10009
Name: Fish, Frank Hamilton
Cremation Date: 24 Dec 1975
Funeral Home: Jacques F. Home, Calgary
Cemetery:.


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