The Rev’d Dr. Iain Forbes Elliott died peacefully on Saturday, November 25, 2023.
Iain was born in Bonnyrigg, Scotland to Thomas and Isabella Elliott. He was lucky to have an older brother, Bruce, to whom he was very close. He went to Wellington School in Somerset and then the University of Bristol where he completed his medical training. He married Olwen in 1962. In 1963, he joined the RAF and was posted to active duty in Aden, Arabia for 2 years as a medical officer. Iain and Olwen moved to Virden in 1968 where they raised their family. Iain practiced medicine in Virden until 1996, and during his time in Virden, was active at St. Mary’s.
Iain’s call to the ministry led to a move to Winnipeg. In 1998, Iain and Olwen’s ministry took them to Milo, a remote village in Tanzania, where he served as doctor and priest for 2 years. Upon their return, they settled in Brandon where Iain continued his service as a physician in remote Manitoba reserves and as honorary assistant at St. George’s Anglican Church.
He had a strong belief in the importance of volunteering and gave his time to the Scouts, the church and the Lions Club. He served on committees for the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons and mentored trainee doctors on their family medicine rotations. He loved singing in the church choir and stood for many years next to his father, Tom, as tenors in the St. Mary’s choir. He enjoyed opera and classical music as well as musicals. He participated in amateur dramatics, playing several roles; everyone in the family knew all the lines. He loved going on holiday with his family and together they covered huge chunks of North America in the trailer.
He loved backpacking, camping and the outdoors and passed that on. In his spare time he loved to create needlepoints which are now treasured by his family, as are his woodworking projects.
He will always be remembered for his commitment to his family, his faith, his church and his vocations. He will be missed. He is remembered by his wife Olwen, Kathryn and Wayne, Ruth and Bruce, Alison and Carmel, Judith and Henry, Michael, Susanne and Charlotte, Jessica, Kraemer and Aidan, Derek, Kim and Malina, Kayla, Cole and Lizzy, Hanna and Stan and Lesley, Lucie and Neil and their families.
A Funeral Service was held at Redeemer Lutheran Church/St. George’s Anglican Church on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. A private interment will be held at a later date.
In memory of Iain, donations may be made in his name to The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (www.pwrdf.org).
+++
Rest eternal grant unto Iain, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, along with all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
+++
