The Revd Ian David Elliott
1st October 1940 - 15th April 2021
Ian was born in Dublin in 1940, son of Leslie, a member of clergy of the Church of Ireland, and Sylvia, and was brother to Hazel and Janet. He came over from Ireland in the early 1950’s to become a boarding pupil at Monkton Combe school, until he carried on in 1958 to read Classics at Queens’ College. Both Monkton and Queens’ became special places for Ian and he remained well connected to both throughout his life.
Having grown up in a Christian family, his personal faith was particularly impacted during his time in Cambridge through the ministry of the late John Stott. This led to Ian exploring a vocation to ordained ministry for himself, in the Church of England. After graduating from Cambridge, he then spent 2 years working at the Mayflower Centre in Canning Town, East London, where he first worked with the late Bishop David Shepherd, and from there he went on to train for ordination at Tyndale Hall in Bristol.
He was ordained in the Diocese of Liverpool in 1966, and went on to serve at St Nicholas' & St Mary’s Halewood (where he met and married local schoolteacher Veronica “Ronnie”), St Luke’s & All Saints Crosby, St Mark’s Dallam, St Paul’s Fazakerley, and Holy Trinity Warrington town centre, all within the Diocese of Liverpool until retiring in 2005. Ian and Ronnie adopted their 2 sons Michael and Peter in the early 1970’s before their family was joined by son Simon and daughter Louise. He and Ronnie loved being part of the Liverpool Diocese where a lot of their work was ecumenical (always close to Ian's heart). This included much involvement in peace and reconciliation ministry and a number of initiatives following the Warrington bombings in 1993, just metres away from Holy Trinity Church, where Ian was Vicar at the time. He also supported a very wide range of missionary work. His love of travelling took him to meet many of his overseas' contacts, especially through CMS in mid Africa, as well as on a few pilgrimages to the Holy Land including some time studying at St Georges College in Jerusalem, and to visiting friends in various parts of the world, especially in his retirement years.
Ian’s Irish roots remained dear to him throughout his life, and many happy family holidays were spent with his parents and wider family in Ireland. He was delighted to be able to keep what had been his parents’ retirement home in West Cork and he enjoyed lots of time there, particularly in his retirement years, and in the garden which was a particular pride and joy of his.
When not travelling to Ireland and further afield, or up and down the M6 to visit and help with his 7 grandchildren, his retirement years were spent in the village of Orton and Cumbria where he was an active and well-loved member of the community and its life. He was very actively involved in their local group of churches.
Ian lived an active, full, happy and impactful life, motivated by his faith - his love of God and people. He will be sadly missed by Ronnie, his children, grandchildren, wider family and many friends.
The Revd Simon Elliott
10th September 2021
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