Joan was born and grew up in North Kamloops. She attended North Kamloops Elementary, followed by Kam High, graduating in 1957. Joan participated in the band program and played on the Red Angel’s basketball team. She studied at UBC and achieved a Bachelor of Education and continued on to teach in the Kamloops School District for many years. She married her husband, David Kerr, in 1963 and together they raised their son, Peter Kerr. After she retired from teaching, she kept herself busy managing her rental properties.