Joan Irene Norek, age 72, a Chicago patent and intellectual-property attorney, DePaul Law School graduate and longtime resident of Lincoln Park died after a short battle with cancer on February 7, 2017. Joan is survived by sisters Carol Norek, Marilyn (Grayson) Taketa, Frances (Jim) Hatch and brother Michael J. Norek; loving niece Debbie and nephews David, Jason, Scott and Aaron. Joan loved the law and was active in the birding community.