JoAnn Hamilton was born in Spokane, Washington and raised in Port Angeles. She earned her BA in Education and taught junior and senior high school Home Economics in Forks, Joyce and White Salmon for 30 years. Upon retirement, she and her husband, Al, relocated back to Port Angeles to live in her family home. They became active in NDLSA in 2008.

JoAnn served as Recording Secretary for five years, joining the board in 2018 as the NDLSA Secretary. In addition, she is the Keepers Quarters Furnishings Coordinator.