Elliott, Mark Ronald

Mark Ronald Elliott ended his life's journey on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at Genesis Medical Center, West Central Park, Davenport, Iowa. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 2618 Boies Ave., Davenport. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until time of the service. A concert service will be held in Cedar Rapids at a later date. Keeping with Mark's wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mark was born July 11, 1953, in Surrey, England. He moved to Davenport, together with his wife of 24 years, Rosanne Duncombe-Elliott, on Aug. 4, 1998.

Mark's career as a professional musician began at the age of nine as a child chorister. He was a proud graduate of the Royal College of Music in London. Between the years of 1982 and 1998, Mark fulfilled a career in the field of operatic performance in theaters throughout Germany, where he met his wife, Davenport native, Rosanne Duncombe. In August 1998, Mark and Rosanne retired from operatic performance and moved to Davenport to begin careers as teachers of singing.

Throughout Mark's 12 years as a vocal instructor, he was employed by both Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. He also maintained private voice studios in both Cedar Rapids and Davenport. He was a very engaged member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and in high demand as both judge and master class instructor for a multitude of vocal competitions throughout the Midwest and in Germany.

Mark's passions and dedications were first and foremost to his wife and then to his love of people and music. Those who met Mark, young and old alike, seldom forgot having met him! He had a true zest for life and laughter. Mark's life motto was “zu lieben ist zu leben,” (to love is to live).

Mark is survived by his wife, Rosanne (Davenport); brother and sister-in-law, John and Patsy Elliott (France)' stepmum, Trisha Elliott (Ireland); niece, Jhassi Elliott (England); the entire Duncombe crew; and a whole lot of friends and students who are so very much richer for having had Mark in their lives!!!

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mark's name to the Genesis Health Service Foundation, Oncology Unit, 1227 E. Rusholme St., Davenport, IA 52803.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Mark's obituary at