Joanne Torrance

Joanne Grumbling Torrance (97), lifelong resident of Blairsville and beloved wife of the late William A. Torrance for fifty-six years, passed away on October 17, 2025. For the past eight years, Mrs. Torrance has resided at the Masonic Village in Sewickley, PA.
Mrs. Torrance was a well-known, leading advocate for the improvement of mental health care, supporting challenged individuals and their families to advance the accessibility and quality of mental health care. For more than forty years, she was dedicated to building greater awareness of mental health issues and the ongoing need for modernized methods of treatment and program innovation. Throughout her professional career, Mrs. Torrance was a frequent guest speaker and author on relevant mental health care topics and aging services, through her extensive involvement with the Mental Health Association, as well as the National, State and Indiana County Alliance of the Mentally Ill.
Mrs. Torrance, R.N. a psychiatric nurse, was the Continuing Care Supervisor for the Indiana County Guidance Center for over thirty years, upon her retirement in 2002. She was instrumental in launching and expanding development of a locally driven medical care model for the referral and placement of the chronically mentally ill by transitioning through the Community Support Project (CSP). She served as President on behalf of Indiana County in the state-run initiative for coordinated mental health care across multiple agencies. Her ongoing commitment to proactive mental health led to the creation of the Community Hospital Integration Program (CHIP), where she provided professional management oversight to facilitate grant funding for affordable patient/family housing, individualized patient lifestyle programming, medication compliance, and rehabilitation.
Mrs. Torrance's legacy of public service with Indiana County organizations is far-reaching. She served on the Citizens Advisory Board of Child Welfare Services and the Board of Directors for the Visiting Nurses Association, Indiana Hospital, Indiana Chapter of the American Cancer Society, the Indiana/Armstrong Mental Health Residential Program and was the Indiana County representative for the Pennsylvania State Office of Mental Health, Western region. She was a charter member of the Indiana Chapter of Zonta International, the professional women's business organization, and elected to the roles of President and Treasurer. In 2006, Mrs. Torrance received the distinguished "Civic Leader of the Year" award by the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Torrance graduated from Blairsville High School in 1945 and earned her R.N. degree from Presbyterian School of Nursing in 1948. She was employed by Torrance State Hospital for five years treating the chronically mentally ill and later served as the nurse supervisor during the early years of the Head Start Program in Blairsville.
Mrs. Torrance was a devoted parishioner of the United Presbyterian Church of Blairsville, assuming numerous leadership positions as a Ruling Elder and as Founder/Director of the Junior Choir. She will be fondly remembered for her melodic soprano voice, as a soloist in the Music Club programs, community performances and with the Blairsville Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir. Her passion for music was amongst her many interests and activities. She was a competitive bridge player, avid baker, eager women's golf "nine-holer," and graceful partner for "W.A" with the Indiana Ballroom Dancing club. She and her husband enjoyed travel and visited all corners of the world before his death in 2007.
Mrs. Torrance is survived by her four children: Jann M. Balmer, PhD of Charlottesville, VA, L. Gaye Torrance (son-in-law John Sogliuzzo) of Short Hills, NJ, Judy Persichetti (son-in-law Robert) of York, PA, and W. Alan Torrance, Jr. (daughter-in-law Anna) of Sewickley, PA. She has eleven adoring grandchildren: Thomas Macfarlane, Kathryn McFarland; Caraline (Shaloiko) and Jay Sogliuzzo; Lisa (Zane), Brian and Scott Persichetti; and Luke, Mary (Paul), Claire and William Torrance; as well as being "GiGi" to thirteen great grandchildren.
Mrs. Torrance is predeceased by her husband, William A. Torrance, sister Dorothy G. Kelly, and brother Jay S. Grumbling.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the W.A. and Joanne Torrance Children's Book Fund. Please send donations to the Blairsville Public Library at 113 North Walnut Street, Blairsville, PA 15717, in the name of the W.A. and Joanne Torrance Children's Book Fund on the memo line.
There will be a private family memorial service for Mrs. Torrance.
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