Sister JoAnn Maria Torti, 83, who taught students, elementary through college, and in recent years helped immigrants navigate a thicket of rules and documents, died Monday in the Ursuline Center.

She had a blood disorder, which was discovered after she broke a leg, said Sister Mary Patricia Snyder of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

In Sister JoAnn Maria’s education ministry, she was a teacher or principal at such northwest Ohio schools as Immaculate Conception in Bellevue, Ohio; St. Wendelin in Fostoria, and St. Patrick in southwestern Lucas County.

In Toledo, her assignments included St. Ann, St. James, St. Mary, and Ladyfield schools; Central Catholic High School; Notre Dame Academy, and the Toledo branch of Notre Dame College of Ohio.

With a graduate degree in sacred doctrine and scripture, she taught theology.

“She was very engaging and very creative,” Sister Mary Patricia said. “Her tone was so gentle and conversational. She had a great presence about her as a teacher.”

Sister JoAnn Maria looked for the best in those around her, niece Gina Torti said.

“She was intelligent and nonjudgmental and inspiring,” her niece said. “She really enjoyed the students and being around younger people and encouraging them, especially women, to think for themselves.”

In retirement, she taught English as a second language at St. Wendelin Parish in Fostoria. Starting in 2005, she helped immigrants, mostly Latino, with legal documentation. She was a certified representative of the U.S. Justice Department’s bureau of immigration appeal. From an office at Ss. Peter & Paul Church in South Toledo, she worked on family and work-related immigration issues. She also helped young people, ages 15-31, who were brought to the United States as children and needed to follow procedures to avoid deportation.

“We are helping to keep families together and treat people with dignity,” said Sister JoAnn Maria, quoted in an article on the Sisters of Notre Dame website.

She did not speak Spanish, said the Rev. Juan Francisco Molina, pastor of Ss. Peter & Paul, “but she was so very sensitive to the migrant community’s needs. She was so sensitive to the family needs.

“I believe she was a lady with the Gospel in her heart,” Father Molina said.

Jo Ann Teresa Torti, born May 17, 1932, to Mary Elizabeth and Joseph Torti, was a graduate of Notre Dame Academy. She took the name Sister Mary Joseph Therese as she was received into the Notre Dame congregation. In 2004, she marked the golden jubilee of her first vows.

She received a bachelor of arts degree from the former Mary Manse College. She received a master of arts degree from St. Mary’s College in Indiana. She visited Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal. In the 1970s, she helped prepare for an international gathering at the Notre Dame motherhouse in Rome.

Surviving is her brother, Joseph Torti.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. today in the Notre Dame Provincial Center, with a sharing of memories at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 5 p.m. Friday in the provincial center chapel. Arrangements are by the Urbanski Funeral Home on Secor Road.

Tributes are suggested to the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Contact Mark Zaborney at: mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.

First Published September 3, 2015, 4:00 a.m.