Nancy Hobson was the daughter of Ivan C. Campbell, a councillor after whom Campbell Street in Kalgoorlie was named. Educated at Perth College in Mount Lawley and the University of Western Australia, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree, she was one of the first Hackett Bursary holders. She later taught at Perth College. In 1934 she married Alan Hobson and returned to Kalgoorlie when he became Principal of the School of Mines.